KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (AFP) - A Malaysian official Tuesday defended a decision to close down a political magazine but local and international human rights groups criticised the move as another blow to press freedom.Saadon Mat Sabari, an offical of the Home Affairs Ministry, said Detik ("Time") was banned due to "technical reasons and not because of its content."

"The permit for the magazine had been sub-leased to a third party. It is illegal to do so," he told AFP. Saadon is the publication division secretary.

He said the appointment of the magazine's chief editor, Ahmad Lufti Othman, also contravened the conditions of its licence.

Under Malaysiam law all publications must be licensed.

Ahmad said the magazine was banned for "publishing views that were not supportive of the government."

"We have already explained regarding the ownership of the permit and my appointment. This ban had political considerations," he told AFP.

Ahmad said the ministry in a letter last Friday told him the minister had rejected the application for a permit. "That's all, no reason given."

Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is also Home Affairs Minister.The bi-monthly was ordered to cease publication last December pending a decision to review its permit.

The ministry early this month severely curbed sales of Harakah, the organ of the main opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia. Its annual licence was renewed only for two issues a month instead of two a week previously.

Harakah's editor Zulkifli Sulong and its printer are also facing a sedition charge over an article about the trial of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Local human rights group Suaram denounced the ban on Detik, saying it proved "that the rule of law no longer exists in the country.

"It shows the government's fear for publications that expose corruption and human right abuses..." coordinator Justin Yong said in a statement.

The Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) also called on Abdullah to review the decision, which it said violated press freedom.

In a statement RSF said the ban was due to the appointment of an editor not favourable to the government.

Secretary general Robert Menard urged the government to liberalise press laws "and stop direct or indirect pressure on private newspapers."

The group said three other publications were still awaiting a decision on whether to renew their licence.

Ahmad said the action against Detik, which claimed a circulation of about 50,000, would further isolate the government from the people.

"The feeling on the ground is one of anger... people are talking openly about press freedom and freedom of speech. They do not like such curbs merely because we carry opinions contrary to the government's thinking," he said.

Detik is now published on the Internet, which the government has promised not to censor.

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