The four journalists from political publications Cabaran and Tamadun who were arrested during the Umno Annual General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur last night were released on police bail eight hours later.

Media activist Ahmad Lutfi Othman who publishes the controversial tabloid and magazine said today that the four, including one woman, were released by the Dang Wangi district police at about 11pm.

Mohd Noor Abd Samad, Haris Zulkapli, Rozani Morad and Rosmida Abdul Rahman were detained at the Putra World Trade Centre for distributing pamphlets containing allegations of corruption and abuse of power against Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

In a press statement, Lutfi said the journalists were being investigated under Section 8 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act (1984) amended 1987.

Pamphlets

The pamphlets titled ' Tolak Rasuah, Tolak Khir, Tolak Umno ' and '

Khir Toyo Bapa Rasuah ' were distributed in several areas of the building, including the press centre.

Besides the pamphlets, police also seized a VCD titled ' Skandal MB '.

Lutfi, who has lodged six reports with the Anti-Corruption Agency against the Selangor MB so far, said he authored both the pamphlets.

"It is learnt that the police are very interested to know which Umno leaders are backing me to make all these reports," added the media activist who is renown for producing fiery publications that court the government's wrath and have its publishing permits revoked.

Meanwhile, Lufti said that one of the detained journalists, Rosmida, claimed that she was surrounded by a group of Umno Youth's security arm when she attempted to interview the wing's vice-secretary, Zulkifli Alwi.

The Umno leader was then said to have told the group of men to follow the journalist who was later arrested by the police.

"She only wanted to get some response, not only on Khir Toyo's issue but also on issues related to education," he said, adding that the journalists had valid passes to cover the event.