Makkal Osai suspended

Makka Osai, the Tamil daily language newspaper owned by former MIC deputy president S. Subramaniam. (Anonymous 2008) The Publication permit of Tamil daily has been suspended for one month from yesterday.

Religion is a famously sensitive in Malaysia. In this case because of the Tamil daily newspaper publish a picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and a can of beer in the other on its front-page. The photo had a caption quoting Christ as saying: “If a person represents his mistakes, heaven awaits him”. (The Star 2008)

(Source: http://tinyplanetblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/smokingjesus.jpg)

A day after the publication of the offending picture, Makkal Osai apologized for the oversight, with its general manager S.M. Periasamy saying the picture was mistakenly inserted by a graphic artist. In addition explain that the graphic editor had mistakenly from the Internet. (Kent 2008)

The Ministry said in a statement that is Makkal Osai has contravened a permit condition under subsection 6(1) of the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984. The action against Makkal Osai is to ensure that newspaper did not publish articles or pictures which could threaten public security, harmony and morality. (The Star 2008)

Beside that, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili supported the action and saying that stern action must be taken against those flouted the law and mocked other religions. (The Star 2008)

I think that publisher should avoid publish something that relating to religion because it will create unhappy feeling towards the religion especially publish this kind of picture.

Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984

Section 6(1) Grant of permit
The minster may in his absolute discretion grant-
(a) To any person a permit to print and publish a newspaper in Malaysia
(b) … (Legal Research Board 2005)

References:

Indian Malaysia online 2008, Makkal Osai in deep trouble for publishing jesus christ caricature, viewed 4 October 2008, <http://www.indianmalaysian.com/sound/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=597>

The Star 2008, Makkal Osai suspended, viewed 4 October 2008, <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/25/nation/18696017&sec=nation>

BBC News 2008, Anger at Malaysia ‘Jesus cartoon’, viewed 4 October 2008, <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6960220.stm>

Legal Research Board, Printing Presses And Publication Act 1984 (Act 301) and rules &Deposit Of Library Material Act 1986 (Act 331), International Law Book Services, Malaysia.