KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has expressed solidarity with Malaysiakini after its reporters were investigated for a recent report citing anonymous sources.
Speaking in his podcast Keluar Sekejap, Khairy and co-host Shahril Hamdan also revealed that the police had obtained their statements over an episode last month interviewing Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a harassment, but it created an uncomfortable feeling,” Khairy related over his experience, but acknowledged the professionalism of the police officers.
“We hope it stops there ... It wasn’t as if we were attempting to sow chaos in the country. We just how this won’t create an environment of fear.”
The duo said the investigation followed a police report over the episode, which had asked Abang Johari for his opinion on the autonomy of Sarawak within Malaysia.
This, Khairy said, may have caused some listeners to mistake the podcast for advocating the secession of Sarawak from the federation.
Earlier in the podcast, Khairy had expressed solidarity with Malaysiakini, pointing to how the podcast itself is part of the media landscape as well with its news analysis.
Last week, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that the police would take action against any news reports deemed malicious or defamatory, under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act and Section 505(b) of the Penal Code on making statements conducing to public mischief.
He had urged the public to only refer to official sources on matters involving the country’s security forces, following rumours of a reshuffle in Bukit Aman.
Malaysiakini in its report had cited anonymous source to allege that several senior officers including Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain were among those allegedly expected to be transferred in the reshuffle.
In response, Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil said while journalists have the right to report, the police also have a right to act if any laws are broken.
