Makkal Osai
Encyclopedia
The Makkal Osai is a Tamil
daily newspaper
based in Malaysia, one of only three Tamil-language dailies in the country, alongside the Malaysia Nanban
and the Tamil Nesan
.
Former Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) deputy president S. Subramaniam
, who is known to have developed an enmity with MIC president Samy Vellu
, is closely linked to the Makkal Osai. The paper has reported critically against the MIC, such as criticism on the party's investment arm, MAIKA Holdings.
of Jesus Christ
holding a cigarette in one hand and a can of beer in the other. The caricature, which was placed on the front page of the paper beside the masthead
, was intended to accompany a caption roughly quoting Jesus Christ to encourage sin
ners to repent
("If someone repents for his mistakes, then heaven awaits them."). It was part of the paper's regular "Thought for the Day" that highlighted famous quotations of world leaders and philosophers.
The caricature courted significant controversy in the following days. Reaction from the local religious community, predominantly Christian groups, were generally negative. Archbishop
of the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, Murphy Pakiam
, concluded the caricature desecrates
the image of Jesus, is thus hurtful to Catholics, while adding the picture is of bad taste, even though the use of the caricature and its message was "to call repentant sinners to hope and salvation". Bishop Julius Paul from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malaysia called for a ban on the Makkal Osai, comparing the situation with the reprinting of Jyllands-Posten's Muhammad cartoons
in February 2006 by two Malaysian newspapers, the Sarawak Tribune
and the Guang Ming Daily, which were shut down and suspended, respectively. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS), which represents 90 percent of the Malaysian Christian community, had asked that the authorities to investigate and take action against those in Makkal Osai who were responsible of the caricature. The Malaysian Indian Congress was also among those critical of the paper's caricature. The party's deputy president, G. Palanivel, wanted the Home Ministry to act against Makkal Osai for offending Christians in Malaysian, while the Youth wing of the party submitted a four-page memorandum
to the Prime Minister's office requesting the government revoke Makkal Osais publication permit. Peter s/o Sinnappan, an MIC Puchong
member, lodged a police report against the paper.
In the two days after the caricature was published, Makkal Osai issued two public apologies on the papers' second pages, stating the editorial team of the paper regretted publishing the picture. Makkal Osai news editor B. R. Rajen was also quoted to have explained the publication of the picture was not done with ill intent, and the staff responsible for allowing the image to be published has been suspended indefinitely. As of August 25, the Roman Catholic Church and the Council of Churches Malaysia, representing the mainstream Protestants, accepted Makkal Osai' s apology. Nevertheless, the Internal Security Ministry
acted against Makkal Osai by ordering the paper to seize publication for a month effective August 24, 2007. Upon consultation with Christian leaders in the MCCBCHS, the MCCBCHS found the suspension to be "drastic" for a "genuine error"; Murphy Pakiam was "perplexed and bemused" by the suspension. In a August 25 press statement, Makkal Osai general manager M. Periasamy alleged the MIC has blown the matter out of proportion, failed to respect the views of Christian groups, and took advantage of the controversy "to stir religious sentiments for [the MIC's] political gains". The Tamil Nesan
, the Makkal Osai' s MIC-owned rival, was also accused by Makkal Osai of reshowing the offending caricature, as a poster-size enlargement held up by Peter s/o Sinnappan, in the August 23 edition of the Tamil Nesan.
The Makkal Osai resumed publishing on September 24, 2007.
' s yearly publishing permit, resulting in a halt in the paper's publication for a week beginning April 16, 2008. Makkal Osai' s previous permit expired October 15, 2007, the publication having submitted an application for renewal to the government on July 16, 2007. The paper continued publication with the understanding the application was in the process of being considered.
On April 18, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar
denied allegations the paper was not given a license renewal due to its Opposition
-centric stories, explaining Makkal Osai had breached some of its licensing guidelines, and claimed many complaints were made against the paper. Syed Hamid would later add in an April 25 report that the Home Ministry had merely delayed the approval for renewing its publishing licence and had not cancelled the paper's renewal. By April 18, the government's move was criticised by members of the Democratic Action Party
(DAP): secretary-general Lim Guan Eng
expressed disappointment, implying the decision would be counter-productive in the ruling Barisan Nasional
's efforts to win back supporters following the party's erosion of support in the 2008 general election
; vice-chairman M. Kulasegaran
described the ministry's decision as "unfair and unjust" and stated those who agreed upon to move must be held accountable for their actions.
Following an appeal by Makkal Osai, the government agreed to renew the paper's publishing permit on April 24, 2008, the paper made available again beginning April 26. In the week Makkal Osai was suspended, the publication suffered about RM
400,000 in losses but reported no resignation or termination of its staff.
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
daily newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
based in Malaysia, one of only three Tamil-language dailies in the country, alongside the Malaysia Nanban
Malaysia Nanban
The Malaysia Nanban is a Tamil daily newspaper based in Malaysia, one of only three Tamil-language dailies in the country, alongside the Makkal Osai and the Tamil Nesan.- Overview :...
and the Tamil Nesan
Tamil Nesan
The Tamil Nesan is a Tamil newspaper published in Malaysia, and the oldest Tamil newspaper in the country, established in 1924. The first issue was published on September 24, 1924....
.
Overview
The Makkal Osai was originally founded in 1981 as the Tamil Osai (the Tamil's Voice), which ceased operations in 1990 following a management dispute. An offshoot of the paper, which carried on the Tamil Osai name, was formed as a result, but dropped the name in 2005, to be renamed as the "Makkal Osai"; in December 2005, the newspaper became a daily. As of 2008, the Makkal Osai has a daily circulation of 52000 copies and 95000 on weekends, and employs 102 staff.Former Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) deputy president S. Subramaniam
S. Subramaniam
S. Subramaniam here refers to the former deputy president of the Malaysian Indian Congress. For the government cabinet minister of the same name, see Subramaniam SathasivamDato' Subramaniam Sinniah or S...
, who is known to have developed an enmity with MIC president Samy Vellu
Samy Vellu
Dato' Seri Samy Vellu Sangalimuthu is an Indian Malaysian politician. He is the longest serving President of the Malaysian Indian Congress , a component party of the Barisan Nasional coalition, holding the position since 1979, for 11 consecutive terms...
, is closely linked to the Makkal Osai. The paper has reported critically against the MIC, such as criticism on the party's investment arm, MAIKA Holdings.
Jesus Christ caricature
On its August 21, 2007 issue, the Makkal Osai printed a caricatureCaricature
A caricature is a portrait that exaggerates or distorts the essence of a person or thing to create an easily identifiable visual likeness. In literature, a caricature is a description of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others.Caricatures can be...
of Jesus Christ
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
holding a cigarette in one hand and a can of beer in the other. The caricature, which was placed on the front page of the paper beside the masthead
Masthead (publishing)
The masthead is a list, published in a newspaper or magazine, of its staff. In some publications it names only the most senior individuals; in others, it may name many or all...
, was intended to accompany a caption roughly quoting Jesus Christ to encourage sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
ners to repent
Repentance
Repentance is a change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to religious law...
("If someone repents for his mistakes, then heaven awaits them."). It was part of the paper's regular "Thought for the Day" that highlighted famous quotations of world leaders and philosophers.
The caricature courted significant controversy in the following days. Reaction from the local religious community, predominantly Christian groups, were generally negative. Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, Murphy Pakiam
Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam
Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam is the third metropolitan archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia....
, concluded the caricature desecrates
Desecration
Desecration is the act of depriving something of its sacred character, or the disrespectful or contemptuous treatment of that which is held to be sacred or holy by a group or individual.-Detail:...
the image of Jesus, is thus hurtful to Catholics, while adding the picture is of bad taste, even though the use of the caricature and its message was "to call repentant sinners to hope and salvation". Bishop Julius Paul from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malaysia called for a ban on the Makkal Osai, comparing the situation with the reprinting of Jyllands-Posten's Muhammad cartoons
Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy
The Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy began after 12 editorial cartoons, most of which depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad, were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on 30 September 2005...
in February 2006 by two Malaysian newspapers, the Sarawak Tribune
Sarawak Tribune
The New Sarawak Tribune is an English-language Malaysian newspaper published in Kuching, Sibu and Bintulu, in Sarawak. Established in 1945, publication of the paper was indefinitely suspended in 2006 following controversy pertaining to the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy, but it...
and the Guang Ming Daily, which were shut down and suspended, respectively. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS), which represents 90 percent of the Malaysian Christian community, had asked that the authorities to investigate and take action against those in Makkal Osai who were responsible of the caricature. The Malaysian Indian Congress was also among those critical of the paper's caricature. The party's deputy president, G. Palanivel, wanted the Home Ministry to act against Makkal Osai for offending Christians in Malaysian, while the Youth wing of the party submitted a four-page memorandum
Memorandum
A memorandum is from the Latin verbal phrase memorandum est, the gerundive form of the verb memoro, "to mention, call to mind, recount, relate", which means "It must be remembered ..."...
to the Prime Minister's office requesting the government revoke Makkal Osais publication permit. Peter s/o Sinnappan, an MIC Puchong
Puchong
Puchong is a major town in the Petaling district of Selangor, Malaysia. The town used to be a rubber estate and tin-mining town in the 1960s. During 1980s, Puchong consisted of only one two-lane road running through estates and villages...
member, lodged a police report against the paper.
In the two days after the caricature was published, Makkal Osai issued two public apologies on the papers' second pages, stating the editorial team of the paper regretted publishing the picture. Makkal Osai news editor B. R. Rajen was also quoted to have explained the publication of the picture was not done with ill intent, and the staff responsible for allowing the image to be published has been suspended indefinitely. As of August 25, the Roman Catholic Church and the Council of Churches Malaysia, representing the mainstream Protestants, accepted Makkal Osai
Ministry of Internal Security
- History :This ministry was established in March 2004 by dividing the Home Ministry into two ministries, namely Ministry of Internal Security And Ministry of Home Affairs....
acted against Makkal Osai by ordering the paper to seize publication for a month effective August 24, 2007. Upon consultation with Christian leaders in the MCCBCHS, the MCCBCHS found the suspension to be "drastic" for a "genuine error"; Murphy Pakiam was "perplexed and bemused" by the suspension. In a August 25 press statement, Makkal Osai general manager M. Periasamy alleged the MIC has blown the matter out of proportion, failed to respect the views of Christian groups, and took advantage of the controversy "to stir religious sentiments for [the MIC's] political gains". The Tamil Nesan
Tamil Nesan
The Tamil Nesan is a Tamil newspaper published in Malaysia, and the oldest Tamil newspaper in the country, established in 1924. The first issue was published on September 24, 1924....
, the Makkal Osai
The Makkal Osai resumed publishing on September 24, 2007.
April 2008 suspension
In April 2008, the Home Ministry decided against renewing the Makkal OsaiOn April 18, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar
Syed Hamid Albar
Tan Sri Syed Hamid bin Syed Jaafar Albar , is a Malaysian politician and the former Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs. He is currently the chairman of the Land Public Transport Commission. He is also a member of the United Malays National Organisation , part of the ruling Barisan Nasional...
denied allegations the paper was not given a license renewal due to its Opposition
Opposition (Malaysia)
The Opposition in Malaysia is a term used to describe political parties represented in the Parliament of Malaysia that are not in government either on their own or as part of a governing coalition. Note that this article uses the term government as it is used in parliamentary systems, i.e...
-centric stories, explaining Makkal Osai had breached some of its licensing guidelines, and claimed many complaints were made against the paper. Syed Hamid would later add in an April 25 report that the Home Ministry had merely delayed the approval for renewing its publishing licence and had not cancelled the paper's renewal. By April 18, the government's move was criticised by members of the Democratic Action Party
Democratic Action Party
The Democratic Action Party, or DAP is a secular, multi-racial, social democratic Malaysian political party.The DAP is one of the three major opposition parties in Malaysia, along with the PKR and PAS, that are seen as electable alternatives to the Barisan Nasional coalition of parties...
(DAP): secretary-general Lim Guan Eng
Lim Guan Eng
Lim Guan Eng is the 4th Chief Minister of the State of Penang and Secretary-General of the Malaysian Democratic Action Party . He is the son of Lim Kit Siang, Leader of the Opposition in the Dewan Rakyat from 1973 to 1999 and 2004 to 2008....
expressed disappointment, implying the decision would be counter-productive in the ruling Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
's efforts to win back supporters following the party's erosion of support in the 2008 general election
Malaysian general election, 2008
The 12th Malaysian general election was held on March 8, 2008, in accordance with Malaysian laws for national elections, which states that a general election must be held no later than five years subsequent to the previous elections; the previous general election was held in 2004...
; vice-chairman M. Kulasegaran
M. Kulasegaran
M. Kulasegaran s/o V. Murugeson commonly referred to as M. Kulasegaran is a Malaysian politician and is the current Member of Parliament for Ipoh Barat, Perak. He is a member the Democratic Action Party in the Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition...
described the ministry's decision as "unfair and unjust" and stated those who agreed upon to move must be held accountable for their actions.
Following an appeal by Makkal Osai, the government agreed to renew the paper's publishing permit on April 24, 2008, the paper made available again beginning April 26. In the week Makkal Osai was suspended, the publication suffered about RM
Malaysian ringgit
The Malaysian ringgit is the currency of Malaysia. It is divided into 100 sen...
400,000 in losses but reported no resignation or termination of its staff.