The magistrate hearing a case involving a dozen reformists who protested in 2000 at restrictions imposed on Harakah has acquitted all the accused.
Free at last - Photo via Tian Chua
The reformasi supporters had protested against a restriction slashing the frequency of the Pas newspaper from twice weekly to once a fortnight.
Of the 12 charged, one had already passed away.
The DDP had subpoenaed 11 witnesses but only two witnesses testified with no response from the rest, said Tian Chua.
Imposing restrictions on the media seems to be the flavour of the week.
Spot the difference – if any:
New media denied passes by Umno
Banning NST won’t solve anything
Harakah, Suara Keadilan banned 3 months
You see, once politicians start restricting the media because they think certain media have been “unfriendly” or “biased” or whatever, there’s no end to it…
Najib says he doesn’t expect much of a political honeymoon – never mind the customary 100-day settling-in period for an incoming leader – in terms of the level of scrutiny he is likely to receive if he takes over as PM as planned.
But now we see the removal of a high level of media scrutiny for the prime minister-to-be.
The three-month suspension of the permits of Harakah and Suara Keadilan allows Najib an 84-day honeymoon (assuming he takes over from 1 April) from scathing criticism from the Pas and PKR party newspapers. It is a serious blow to press freedom in Malaysia.
Crucially, the suspensions will also severely handicap Pakatan’s attempts to reach out to the Malay-speaking rural voters in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang during the by-elections campaigns from 29 March to 6 April.
