The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the conviction of Malaysian journalist and union leader Hata Wahari on charges of “tarnishing the image” of his employer Utusan Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on April 14.

Wahari, president of IFJ affiliate the National Union of Journalists of Malaysia (NUJM), was found guilty in a hearing that lasted only 15 minutes. He was also found guilty of revealing the “company secrets” of his employer, which is owned by Umno.

The charges relate to comments Wahari made in the Malaysian media criticising the ethics and partisan coverage of Utusan in September and October last year. He also criticised the paper for fuelling racial tensions in the country in an address made in his capacity as NUJM president on January 1.

The paper’s management will decide on Wahari’s punishment in the next two weeks. He has been suspended since January 11, five days after the enquiry began on January 6.

This is clearly a politically motivated attack on the part of the management of Utusan and must be condemned as a further erosion of press freedom and free expression in Malaysia,.

The message is clear for reporters and freedom of expression activists in Malaysia – challenge the status quo at your own peril.

Local media reports say Wahari and NUJM general secretary V Anbalagan are preparing “for the worst” and will appeal Utusan’s decision in Malaysia’s industrial court if he is fired.

Jacqueline Park is Asia-Pacific director of IFJ.