Malaysia bans dailies from naming Hindraf

Malaysia on Monday banned the country's newspapers from using the names of Hindraf, an ethnic Indian organisation and an Islamic group, in their writings as both are declared "illegal".

Malaysian newspaper should not use the names of the ethnic Indian NGO Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and Islamic group Darul Arqam (or Al Arqam) movements after they were declared illegal by the Government, Deputy Home Minister Wira Abu Seman Yusop told parliament. Both Hindraf and Darul Arqam were banned by the Government under the Societies Act.

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"By right, newspapers should not use the names," he said. Based on Home Ministry records, he said the two were declared illegal for organising activities which could threaten public order and national security.

Hindraf shot to prominence after it organised a massive rally on November 25, 2007 attended by over 20,000 ethnic Indians here to protest against alleged discrimination faced by the minority Indian community in this country.

The government of the then premier Abdullah Badawi, which declared the rally illegal, denied the allegations of discrimination and put five of the Hindraf leaders in detention under the Internal Security Act in December 2007.

Their release was ordered by premier Najib Razak who took office in April this year.