PKR newspaper no longer restricted to members - The Star

PUTRAJAYA: April 22, 2008 by Mazwin Nik Anis

PKR's newspaper - Suara Keadilan is just one step away from getting its publishing permit and it comes with a bonus. The paper is no longer restricted to being circulated among members.

PKR information chief Tian Chua said conditions of the permit did not stipulate that the newspaper could only be sold or circulated among members only.

"I believe this means that we can actually circulate or sell the newspaper to the masses and we are pleased with the improvement. Of course, there are plans to expand the paper, not only in terms of its circulation, but also its pages.

"I have been told by Home Ministry's officials that the permit for Suara Keadilan will be processed and we should be getting it in a few days' time, Wednesday the earliest.

"We hope to recruit experienced and professional individuals in the industry to help beef up the paper, to make Suara Keadilan a more effective medium for information," he told reporters when at the ministry after paying the RM500 fee for the annual permit.

Suara Keadilan has been published and circulated among party members for the past four years without a permit. The bi-weekly newspaper has a circulation of about 100,000 and is sold to its members at RM2.

Recently, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar had promised more press freedom and one of his first acts was to approve the publishing permit for the PKR newspaper. The party had been applying for a newsletter since its formation eight years ago.

Among other stipulations for the permit is that eight copies be submitted to the ministry for each publication and articles and photographs published should not affect public peace and order, or Malaysia's relations with other countries.