A reporter from The Star has applied to set aside a subpoena served on her and for the testimony she gave in the trial of former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Yazid Sufaat to be expunged by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.

Tashny Sukumaran, 25, filed the application last Wednesday.

Lawyer Syahredzan Johan, who is appearing for Tashny, said the reporter had written an article based on sources.

“The paper does not want her to reveal the sources of the story. Furthermore, what she wrote is not related to the charge faced by Yazid,” Syahredzan ( right ) told journalists after the matter was heard.

The lawyer said the papers have been served on the respondents, who comprise the prosecution as well as Yazid and second accused Muhammad Hilmi Hasim.

Yazid, a former ISA detainee and a bio-chemist, along with Hilmi, are held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 for being part of an alleged terrorist group, Tanzim al-Qaeda Malaysia.

Both of them are also charged with trying to recruit people to be part of the Tanzim al-Qaeda Malaysia group. Although they are detained under Sosma, they are charged under the Penal Code.

Important for journalists to protect sources

If found guilty, they will stand to face 30 years' jail or life imprisonment.

Syahredzan said it is important for journalists to protect their sources as it is part of the code of ethics in journalism, which is also recognised by the National Union of Journalists.

He said Justice Mohd Azman Husin fixed Thursday to hear the application.

Tashny had taken the stand on April 14 as the prosecution's fifth witness in the trial, during which she testified that she got Yazid's contact details from a Malaysiakini journalist.

Lawyers Amer Hamzah Arshad, New Sin Yew and Joshua Tay appeared for Yazid while DPP Mohd Hanafiah Zakaria led the prosecution team.