Last week, Malaysia banned all government agencies from subscribing to the International Herald Tribune, Asia Week and the Far Eastern Economic Review.

The government order authored by Education Ministry Director General Abdul Shukor Abdullah noted that these publications "..clearly show they are unsympathetic toward our nation.." and "...have been overzealous in their criticism toward Malaysia..."

"..It's not proper for us to support and subscribe to these magazines and newspaper.." said Abdullah.

Somebody should alert government international carrier Malaysia Airlines pretty soon....

Page 44 of the February 11th issue of the Far Eastern Economic Review carries a co-branded advertisement for the national airline including the following copy...

"..As one of the world's leading airlines, Malaysia Airlines understands that the frequent business traveler needs to keep in touch with what's going on in Asia. That's why it provides executive passengers with the authoritative publication on Asia... The Far Eastern Economic Review..."

Government officers now can not read what their airline thinks is the most authoritative publication on Asia, unless they buy their own copy of course...

Page 31 of the same issue also carries a full page of Mahathir's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, accompanied by a photo of the smiling P.M., and the bold headline "Malaysia: Bouncing Back".

Similarly Asiaweek only 2 weeks ago ran a very sympathetic article in the first few pages on the new Malaysian economic policies.

Seems just a little bit gila to the Rat.... Maybe we will just have to resort to the teh house for our news in future...