DAP lawmaker to cops: Release Malaysiakini journo immediately, don’t violate media freedom
Editor’s Note: Malaysiakini has reported that its journalist B Nantha Kumar was arrested last night (Feb 28) for allegedly receiving a bribe from an agent that deals with migrant workers.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)chief commissioner Azam Baki. denied that the arrest was because of the news portal’s recent article exposing a migrant trafficking cartel.
According to Azam, the journalist had allegedly solicited RM100,000 from the agent in exchange for not publishing two articles concerning the agent.
The amount was eventually reduced to RM20,000, he claimed. “The agent lodged a report with MACC, after which we carried out what is called a ‘trap case’,” he added.
THE detention of Malaysiakini journalist B. Nantha Kumar is unacceptable and must stop immediately.
This is because the practice of detaining journalists simply for reporting on matters that are not to their liking of the government of the day reflects a lack of respect for the freedom of expression and the principles of justice, according to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.
“Journalists are not criminals; they are carrying out their duty to expose issues of public interest,” the DAP lawmaker pointed out in a media statement.
“If his report on the migrant worker smuggling cartel at KLIA is untrue, the authorities should have proven it through a transparent investigation, not by suppressing media freedom.”
Lim who is also a lawyer further contended that the action against Nantha Kumar raises the question if the authorities are more concerned with silencing journalists than addressing the real issues that have been reported.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng
“I demand the immediate release of Nantha Kumar and guarantees that journalists can carry out their work without any threats or harassment that suppress media freedom,” asserted the DAP Kuala Lumpur secretary (2024-2027).
“Any attempt to intimidate or restrict journalists is a blatant violation of freedom of expression and is completely unacceptable.”
For context, Malaysiakini said Nantha Kumar was detained late last night (Feb 28) over an article on an alleged Pakistani cartel smuggling migrant workers into Malaysia.
An officer claiming to be from the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) told the news portal that Nantha Kumar would be brought to the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court for remand proceedings this morning (March 1).
However, the officer also refused to entertain the request by Malaysiakini to speak to the reporter.
On Feb 22, Malaysiakini quoted a source claiming that a former immigration officer who is now a “Datuk” is the mastermind behind the alleged cartel operating at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). – March 1, 2025
“Any attempt to intimidate or restrict journalists is a blatant violation of freedom of expression and is completely unacceptable.”
For context, Malaysiakini said Nantha Kumar was detained late last night (Feb 28) over an article on an alleged Pakistani cartel smuggling migrant workers into Malaysia.
An officer claiming to be from the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) told the news portal that Nantha Kumar would be brought to the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court for remand proceedings this morning (March 1).
However, the officer also refused to entertain the request by Malaysiakini to speak to the reporter.
On Feb 22, Malaysiakini quoted a source claiming that a former immigration officer who is now a “Datuk” is the mastermind behind the alleged cartel operating at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). – March 1, 2025
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