Berita Petang , a Chinese afternoon paper that first hit the streets of Kuching in the 1970s, was on the way to 'being re-organised for business reasons' which could have included closure when it received a two-week suspension order last weekend from the Internal Security Ministry.

The paper, published by Berita Petang Sdn Bhd, part of International Times Group controlled by local businessman Wee Kok Tiong, son of the late Chinese millionaire Wee Boon Ping, had published some of the offensive caricatures of Prophet Muhammad in its Feb 4 issue.

The company's directors and editors became aware that action was to be taken against them when they received a letter from the ministry a fortnight later on Feb 20. They were called in the following day to explain their action.

Following this, on Saturday, they received the letter notifying them of their two-week suspension, said Berita Petang Sdn Bhd's Executive Director and Chief Editor Hwang Yu Chai.

Hwang, a veteran Chinese journalist, told malaysiakini today that prior to that, the paper's management had been discussing a re-organisation aimed at placing more emphasis on Berita Petang's sister paper, the International Times , a Chinese morning paper popular in Kuching and the surrounding areas.

He would not say whether Berita Petang would continue to be published after serving out its suspension. "We have a very small editorial staff," he said.

Tribune suspension unclear

Meanwhile, Sarawak Press Sdn Bhd officials said they have not received any official letter on the lifting of the suspension order on The Sarawak Tribune for publishing one of the offensive caricatures.

There strong rumours over the weekend that the paper's suspension order had been lifted, but none of its senior officials would confirm.

It is, however, understood the management has decided not to continue with publication of the paper Sarawak even after the suspension ends and will instead concentrate on a new paper which is to be called Eastern Times . They have also claimed that there were plans to close down the daily before becoming embroiled in the caricature controversy.

Except for some changes at the top, the new paper will make use of the same editorial staff as The Sarawak Tribune . It is learnt that former New Straits Times reporter James Ritchie is to be the managing editor and while Utusan Sarawak's group editor William Chan will be the editor -in-chief.

The paper, which is still awaiting its permit, plans to hit the street on March 12.