NST show-cause letter: Eroding press freedom?

Thinking Malaysians must be bewildered at the government's show-cause letter to the New Straits Times over its publication of a controversial syndicated cartoon that, some say, has hurt the feelings of Muslims in Malaysia.

The Internal Security Ministry said the cartoon had breached the conditions of the newspaper’s publishing permit under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, adding that the sketch was inappropriate and could invite negative reactions in the country, especially among Muslims.

This is not an auspicious way for Datuk Zainuddin Maidin to begin his tenure as Information Minister and it does not augur well for Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's commitment to more open government.

Read the full statement by Charter 2000-Aliran.