M�sia approves permit for Chinese Communist Party organ
Jan 10, 05 4:58pm
The Communist Party of China will publish the overseas edition of its organ, People�s Daily, in Malaysia from next month, following approval of a publishing and printing permit from the government here.
This will add another market to the publication, currently available in some 80 countries including the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, France and Japan.
Local Chinese-language newspaper, Oriental Daily News, quoted Deputy Information Minister Donald Lim yesterday as saying that the Internal Security Ministry and Information Ministry will monitor the contents closely. The overseas edition of People�s Daily - long considered the ruling party's mouthpiece - has been published in Chinese since 1985, appearing daily except on Sunday.
�The editorial policy of the overseas version is that it must collaborate with the
party�s nature and policy. But at the same time, it must consider the acceptance and reading habits of readers abroad,� says a note on the Internet version.
Malaysia-China Friendship Association secretary-general Tan Kai Hee said the trial version of the People�s Daily in Malaysia had been published since Jan 1.
He said the contents of the daily, although published and printed in Malaysia, would follow the overseas version in other countries.
�Maybe certain local issues will be adapted to be published as well. This�s just like our newspapers here which have pull-outs that focus on local issues,� he said when contacted today.
Focus on culture, not ideology
He dismissed allegations that the paper would promote communism.
�The paper will promote China�s culture and economic, but it�s not about to promote the (communist) ideology. Because of this (not promoting ideology), it has
been accepted worldwide,� he said.
He said the question of ideology should not be made an issue as the Chinese people and Malaysians both believe that neither sides would influence the other.
�I believe Malaysians are mature enough to accept different ideas. In the era of globalisation, the issue of ideology should not be an issue any more,� he said.
Tan said the government�s decision to allow the publication reflects its open policy towards the Chinese culture.
�This shows the government does not see China as a threat, but a good friend and partner,� he said.
�Malaysian entrepreneurs and investors who have businesses in China, entrepreneurs and students who are now living in Malaysia, and various Chinese cultural organisations would like to see the publication of the People�s Daily in Malaysia,� he said.
No additional details
When contacted, an employee at the People�s Daily office in Kuala Lumpur refused to disclose additional details, such as the expected print run.
However, a source said the publication will likely be a tabloid of eight to 10 pages.
Under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, all publishers and printers are required to obtain an annual permit. The Internal Security Minister has sole power to approve, reject or revoke licences.
For instance, there has been guarded response to malaysiakini�s application for a current affairs weekly, submitted in September 2002.
Last June, the premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi strongly hinted in answer to a parliamentary question that the government would not approve the application for fear that the publication could be prejudicial to
national security.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Chia Kwang Chye could not be reached for comment today.
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