Malaysia bans Tamil-language daily: manager - AFP

Malaysia has imposed a ban on a leading Tamil-language newspaper critical of the government, its general manager said Wednesday -- a move the opposition called a "crackdown on human rights."

S.M. Periasamy, general manager of the critical Makkal Osai daily, told AFP that he had received a letter from the home ministry -- which is in charge for internal security -- saying the paper's annual permit would not be renewed.

"It means our daily has been banned," he said.

Periasamy said no reasons were given for the government action, adding that he would immediately appeal to Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

"From tomorrow, the daily will not hit the streets. If we continue to publish, the directors could be jailed," Periasamy said.

Opposition lawmaker Lim Kit Siang, chairman of the Democratic Action Party, said the newspaper had been banned for giving too much coverage for the opposition since it made stunning gains in March 8 general elections.

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