It was TokAsid who first coined the term “Moon Paper”, at least in my head when he referred to the Harakah newspaper when commented an entry in my blog some time ago.
Since the publication of its maiden issue in March 1987, the newspaper has found its way into the minds of millions of Malaysian Muslims. For more than 20 years now it has played the critical role in providing alternative views and reshaping public political opinions. More so, this in turn has helped to put PAS figures in the Parliaments and various state assemblies and provided the much needed check-and-balance against the ruling coalition.
The Ministery of Home Affairs first approved the permit for the publication of Harakah as a twice-weekly newspaper. This newspaper then gathered momentum at a breakneck speed (at least as it was viewed by the ruling coalition then) and finally became a force to be reckoned-with as the millennium drew its curtain down.
When the ruling coalition suffered a lackluster performance in the 1999 general election (failed to recapture Kelantan and lost Terengganu), the government of the day put Harakah to task by curtailing its publications from twice weekly to only twice a month.
But if you can call Harakah as a media idea, then it very well is. It fits what Victor Hugo once said: “No armies in the world can fight the idea whose time has come.”
Although looked ill-equipped to stage a reasonable media fight in future political battles especially after the subsequent general election, Harakah emerged as among a major media hero in triggering the political tsunami during the recent general election.
Contrary to the prediction that Harakah might be reduced to a monthly publication, the government instead re-approved its original publication permit of twice-weekly.
The twice-weekly Harakah will be relaunched during the PAS Convention to be held on 15th August in Ipoh, which is just round the corner.
Let us hope the Moon Paper will help to change the fate of this beloved country of ours after some powerful politicians have made it to look like a Paper Moon.
