The Home Ministry has given an assurance that it will consider an appeal to lift the suspension of weekly paper The Heat.
According to an official statement in its sister company theantdaily.com, editors of The Heat had met with Ministry officials again today.
"We are extending our full cooperation to the ministry to fully resolve the matter. The ministry has assured us that it will consider The Heat’s appeal to lift the suspension in a fair and prompt manner," said the statement.
The Heat also clarified its actions over two show cause letters as well as the terms of its permit.
"We have replied to two show-cause letters (dated Nov 27, 2013 and Dec 2, 2013) issued by the Home Ministry within the time frame provided," said The Heat.
It also explained that it was originally approved on July 8, 2013 as a weekly publication under the “Economy/Social”
Subsequently, it said it applied to change its category to “Current Affairs” and approval for that was given on Sept 18, 2013.
These latest statements appear to contradict an earlier one by the Ministry which stated that The Heat had violated provisions in its publication permit.
These permit violations were, specifically, pertaining to the requirement to “inform the Home Ministry of any change of ownership”, and also a provision which specifies that the permit was only applicable for “a weekly business magazine.”
On Thursday, The Heat was notified of its suspension by the Home Ministry.
The Heat is published by HCK Media Group which also behind business publication Focus Malaysia and the online portal theantdaily.com.
Journalists and civil rights groups have formed a solidarity group called Gerakan Media Marah (Movemement of Angry Media) or Geramm.
Geramm's programmes currently include social media campaigns, wearing red t-shirt on Fridays, forums on free press and a petition.
According to an official statement in its sister company theantdaily.com, editors of The Heat had met with Ministry officials again today.
"We are extending our full cooperation to the ministry to fully resolve the matter. The ministry has assured us that it will consider The Heat’s appeal to lift the suspension in a fair and prompt manner," said the statement.
The Heat also clarified its actions over two show cause letters as well as the terms of its permit.
"We have replied to two show-cause letters (dated Nov 27, 2013 and Dec 2, 2013) issued by the Home Ministry within the time frame provided," said The Heat.
It also explained that it was originally approved on July 8, 2013 as a weekly publication under the “Economy/Social”
Subsequently, it said it applied to change its category to “Current Affairs” and approval for that was given on Sept 18, 2013.
These latest statements appear to contradict an earlier one by the Ministry which stated that The Heat had violated provisions in its publication permit.
These permit violations were, specifically, pertaining to the requirement to “inform the Home Ministry of any change of ownership”, and also a provision which specifies that the permit was only applicable for “a weekly business magazine.”
On Thursday, The Heat was notified of its suspension by the Home Ministry.
The Heat is published by HCK Media Group which also behind business publication Focus Malaysia and the online portal theantdaily.com.
Journalists and civil rights groups have formed a solidarity group called Gerakan Media Marah (Movemement of Angry Media) or Geramm.
Geramm's programmes currently include social media campaigns, wearing red t-shirt on Fridays, forums on free press and a petition.
