Investigation papers on the sedition case the authorities are pursuing against Malaysiakini journalist Susan Loone have yet to be concluded.

Inspector Mohd Rezan Yusoop @ Ariffin told Loone today that he is not certain when the investigation would be completed.

"The initial report has not come back to us. It is still with the attorney-general," said Mohd Rezan, who returned Loone's Blackberry handphone to her and told her there would be no further action, for now.

She was accompanied by lawyer Cheah Kah Peng.

Loone, who is Malaysiakini 's northern region assistant editor, was arrested on Sept 4, under Section 4(1) of the 1948 Sedition Act.

She was released on police bail of RM2,000, on one surety, and was told to report back to the police today.

Loone was grilled for nine hours at the Northeast District police headquarters on Jalan Patani on her interview with Penang executive councillor Phee Boon Pooh (right) when he was in police custody.

Her article , headlined Exco man grilled for four hours, treated like a ‘criminal’ , was published on Sept 1 and was deemed to be seditious as it put the police in bad light.

Phee, who heads the state's voluntary patrol unit (PPS) was detained together with 154 members of the PPS after they took part in the state’s Merdeka Parade on Aug 31.

The PPS was declared "illegal" by Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar because it is not registered with the Registrar of Societies.

Petition to PM's Office

Meanwhile, the Institute of Journalists (IOJ) and Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm) today submitted a petition to the Prime Minister's Office protesting Loone's arrest.

"We are not merely asking the government to free Loone of all charges but by presenting our petition, we are also asking for the government to enhance the freedom of all citizens," said spokesperson Tashny Sukumaran.

The petition, signed by over 200 journalists, was received by the prime minister's press secretary Tengku Shariffudin Tengku Ahmad.

The petition is aimed at highlighting the journalist community's "grave concern" over the recent crackdown on freedom of speech.

"We believe wholeheartedly that all journalists should be able to carry out their duties professionally, without facing hindrance or harassment, whether from the authorities, or any other quarter," said Geramm's Fazallah Pit.

The IOJ was officially constituted last month as a non-profit organisation to improve the professionalism of Malaysian journalists, while Geramm was formed as a loose collection of media practitioners in December last year to protest the government's suspension of news weekly The Heat .

Bias in not approving Mkini permit, says CIJ

Perhaps the ministry wants Mkini to be like Utusan?