Was reading some articles on MSN and saw this - Malaysia's home ministry said it had threatened to penalise one of the country's top-selling dailies over an article which was critical of the recent caning of three Muslim women.

"We have issued a show-cause letter to the Star newspaper as what was said in the article can threaten public order," home ministry deputy secretary general Fuad Abdul Aziz told AFP.

"They have 14 days to explain to us why we shouldn't suspend them as there have been at least three police reports filed by groups and people and the article can be viewed as an insult to Islam and Islamic law," he added.


Fuad said the article titled "Persuasion, not compulsion", by the English-language daily's managing editor P. Gunasegaram, questioning whether the sentence of caning was appropriate, had upset Muslims.

"The Star's editor came to see us earlier this week and they published an apology in their paper on February 24 but we are seeking a fuller explanation and action to resolve this."

The commentary, written by managing editor P. Gunasegaram in his column Question Time, was on the caning of three Muslim women for illicit sex.

The Star apologised on Wednesday, stating there was no intention to insult or offend any Muslim with the publication of the article.

Group Lodges Report Over Article @ http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/23/nation/5725958&sec=nation

No Offence Meant @ http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/24/nation/5734328&sec=nation

Hopefully this problem can be solved asap with wise decisions and not simply pointing fingers at anyone. I dont think I will read any other dailies other than The Star if they get banned =(