Suara Perkasa editor asked to explain ISA call

WILL SUARA PERKASA BE BAN TOO

The Home Affairs Ministry has hauled up the editor of Suara Perkasa to give explanation about their decision to publish an article with the headline "Tahan Ka Siong Bawah Isa" (Detain Ka Siong Under the ISA).

A ministry statement said its editor Amirudin Mohamad met with the ministry's representatives on Friday at 5pm. The meeting lasted almost an hour, according to The Star.

According to Head of Corporate Communications of the ministry, Jamilah Taib, Suara Perkasa was asked to attend another meeting on Monday.

The Malay right-wing group's publication, which was launched on Thursday, had carried the front-page article calling for the arrest of MCA Youth chief Dr Wee Ka Siong under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for allegedly questioning Malay rights.

Perkasa, which is led by Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali, owns the publication.

Wee, who is also the Deputy Education Minister, had reportedly questioned the government's plan to do away with overseas scholarships offered by the Public Service Department (PSD). He had also asked if Mara scholarships would also be scrapped.

Wee had denied he was questioning Malay rights and said he was not intimidated by Perkasa. He was even contemplating to sue Suara Perkasa.

Since publishing the article, Perkasa had received backlash from various quarters, including Umno and MIC leaders.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin had urged the Home Ministry on Thursday to investigate Suara Perkasa for inciting unrest.

Earlier Friday, the Home Ministry suspended Suara Keadilan, the publication of opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat, saying it violated publishing laws with a report this month which alleged that government agency Felda is bankrupt.

The ministry said it would not renew Suara Keadilan's permit which expired on Wednesday. The reason: It was not satisfied with the paper's explanation for the allegedly inaccurate report.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang responded to the suspension, saying on his blog that the banning of Suara Keadilan over its coverage of Felda's financial woes was unjustified because Felda has already initiated a RM200 million suit against the publication.

Lim said the suspension of the publication should be revoked immediately
as this would be a test to see if the Prime Minister is sincere and serious about good governance.