The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has called on the government to stop using its extensive powers to hound English daily The Star over a publication mistake which has caused uproar among some quarters.

"The ministry's intervention and rejection of the first apology, which was published in the paper on Aug 12, are highly disproportionate, reflecting the ridiculous extent of the power accorded to it over print media under the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984.

"Indeed, such unintentional and rectifiable transgressions can easily be used as an excuse to revoke a paper's publishing licence under this draconian law," said the press watchdog in a yesterday.

The daily had on Aug 11 named featured in its food supplement "Ramadan delights" pork dishes .

perkasa burn the star 140811 2 Despite the daily's apology last Friday, Malay rights group Perkasa launched a tirade against The Star , labelling it as " anti-Islam " and burned copies of the newspaper.

The Home Ministry also said it was not satisfied with the explanation, with Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein personally hauling up the publication's group chief editor to express his displeasure.

The Star issued a second apology on Aug 17, detailing how the mistake came about in addition to suspending the supplement's editor Johnni Wong.

The previous day, Hishammuddin called on the daily to do more to soothe the feelings of Muslims who were offended by the "insensitive" publication.

Coming to the daily's defence, the CIJ called for the state to stop intervening after the double apologies.

"CIJ calls for level-headedness from all parties who have grievances against the media, especially where any perceived harm is easily contained without state interference.

"The latest sorry episode shows yet again how the PPPA is easily used as a tool to keep print media under executive control and why it must therefore be abolished in the people’s interest," it said.

Group burns copies of The Star in Penang