KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Aug 2009: The government will review the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA)1984 to keep with the times and promote the growth of the industry, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said today.
He said the government was concerned by the growth of the highly vibrant printing presses and publications industry, which boasted about 3,000 licensed printers in the country.
“The paper, printing and publishing industry, together with the associated packaging industry, are importing papers, paper boards, printing machineries and printed materials worth RM5 billion annually,” he told reporters at the Putra World Trade Centre here.
He added that the review of the PPPA was still in the initial stage.
On the publishing industry, he said the ministry would continue with their “new approach to resolving issues involving the Act” by holding monthly meetings with publishers and editors.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had attended the first meeting with editors two months ago, Abu Seman said, adding, however, that publications which continued to defy the PPPA would have their permits revoked “as a last resort”. — Bernama
