Then in Singapore’s GE where the opposition decides to contest in most seats…

Next Malaysia, Then Taiwan…

After that Indonesia,…

Waiting for the BIG wind of change in the US this Nov!

That’s why it cannot work.

Hudud though enacted could not be implemented. PAS could, under Federal Constitution, enact sharia as it is under State’s jurisdiction but because the species of Sharia (Hudud) conflicts with Federal Law like Penal Code equally applicable to muslims, Federal Govt would not lend a hand to enforce it, so enforcement is suspended.

PAS’s action is not defensible. Other opposition parties don’t support the move.

PAS’s enactment of Hudud and failed attempt to enforce cannot justify Opposition controlled state governments (as distinct from Opposition parties themselves that control them) to directly operate newspapers like Makkal Osai.

As Chin Huat always stressed. This is a loophole in the act. From what I understand, the state government can allow Makkal Osai to print by or for them but the contents of the newspaper is not constrained by state government news in the act(it can be like any other papers just like The Sun, the star or NST)

3 days after the GE, Chin Huat has made this post telling the people asking free press from the state government. He also sugggest Malaysiakini to go for print.

http://chinhuatw.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/ask-free-press-from-the-new-state-governments/

I just can’t understand what is taking the state government so long for this. This should be their top priority to free Makkal Osai at the moment.

And for your statement - Opposition is entitled to implement Opposition’s policies in states controlled by it different from ruling BN but only to the extent permitted by Federal Constitution.

How about PAS trying to implement Hudud laws in kelantan? It clearly contradicts the Federal Constitution. And also newspaper printed by or for the state government circulating in the state is clearly under the state’s jurisdiction. There is also no other act that could prevent the ‘exporting’ of papers to the other states. Technically, we can pronounce the death of PPPA.

waterfrontcoolie,

Harakah is published under party status. Despite the loophole made known to them two years ago, they decided to do nothing. Someone commented that this is PAS strategy since BN can ammend this act with their 2/3 majority(two years ago). Now they have lost it, it is time to proceed.

I beg to disagree with Chin Huat’s reading of Section 25 of Printing Presses and Publications Act (“PPPA”): that states “Nothing in this Act shall extend to the publication or making of any documents or periodical by or for the Federal or any State Government or any statutory body” – and therefore if Opposition controlled states like Penang “offer Makkal Osai to publish for the State Governments”, Makkal Osai does not then need any licensing under PPPA because its publication “by or for” state government.

This is very wrong reading.

When Section 25 talks of printing and publication by State Govts (exempted from PPPA), it means those publication that state governments would normally do as part of its ordinary course of state government’s business for public dissemination. State government’s job is not to publish newspapers like Makkal Osai, it is not its role, nor is it sanctioned by Federal or State constitutions.

Even if allowed, what is Makkal Osai going to publish for the State Governments – state government’s news, notification to public what’s happening in land offices that needs rectification or reform?

Makkal Osai cannot under State government’s appointment play its normal role of disseminating news as Voice for certain sections of readership and catering their interest (so what’s the point of the exercise?) - for if it Makkal Osai were to continue do so, it means the State government would be involved in doing this kind of thing!

Then Malaysiakini needing hard copies circulation and other publications banned by Federal government can also “back door” be adopted and appointed by opposition controlled state governments which will then take on additional role of Fifth Estate to champion media freedom as a new function totally unauthorised by either the Fdederal or State Constitutions.

In terms of role, the Opposition is different from states controlled by Opposition.

In running a state government, it is true Opposition is entitled to implement Opposition’s policies in states controlled by it different from ruling BN but only to the extent permitted by Federal Constitution bifurcating what are areas designated to Federal’s responsibilities and jurisdiction, and what to states’.

The enforcement of the Printing Presses and Publications Act is a matter of Federal Jurisdiction under Ministry of Home Affairs about which State governments have no jurisdiction. Opposition can oppose Makkal Osai’s ban in parliament, in media or in streets but not as part of running the state governments because state governments though controlled opposition is not opposition itself. It would not be responsible administration of state governments on Opposition’s part to stress Federal –State relations configured by Constitution by treating state governments as Opposition itself. Which is precisely why Federal Government cannot withdraw or withhold funding to states just because they are controlled by Opposition. If it does, it can be taken to task.

BRAVE NEW WORLD By AZMI SHAROM

Since the recent general election, voices have risen up in a shrill warning cry that the Malays are now ‘under threat’. But perhaps the real threat is the threat to Umno hegemony.

AND so it begins. Race-based rhetoric has raised its ugly little head in response to a democratic process. Over 49% of the people of Malaysia have voted for parties that have rejected race-based affirmative action in favour of a needs-based platform.

VIsit http://www.wagthedog-malaysia.blogspot.com for details