The Home Ministry has demonstrated its political bias in not approving a printing permit of Malaysiakini, says the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).
In expressing concern over the reject, the NGO said disallowing a publication permit for a lack of neutrality and causing controversy is not a legitimate restriction on the freedom of expression.
"It is fairly clear that the application of these criteria to existing daily newspapers would result in the shutting down of a number of newspapers currently in circulation.
"Disallowing a publication permit for a lack of neutrality and causing controversy cannot constitute a legitimate restriction on the freedom of expression," it said in a statement.
CIJ said despite the watering down of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA) amendments, the ministry does not appear to keep in mind the Court of Appeal's decision in October 2013 that it has no valid reason to deny the organisation a licence.
Full story: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/276553
