Groups demand probe into journalists' arrest in Gua Musang
Journalist groups today demanded the Kelantan Forestry Department to conduct a probe into the arrest of two journalists in Gua Musang, Kelantan on Tuesday.
The Institute of Journalists Malaysia (IOJ), Foreign Correspondents Club of Malaysia (FCCM) and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) in a joint statement, also alleged that one of the journalists (Too Chee Hung @ Chi Too) was warned by the officers to not be like Bruno Manser, a Swiss environment activist who campaigned against logging in Sarawak but went missing in May 2000.
The statement also expressed concerns over Chi Too and his colleague Jules Ong, who were engaged by Singapore broadcaster Channel News Asia, initially being denied access to lawyer Siti Kasim, who acted on their behalf during their detention.
"According to Siti Kasim, the authorities had initially denied her access to both Ong and Chi Too but relented after arguing on points of law. She said they are being investigated under Section 47 of the National Forestry Act for being in a forest reserve without a permit."
Journalist groups today demanded the Kelantan Forestry Department to conduct a probe into the arrest of two journalists in Gua Musang, Kelantan on Tuesday.
The Institute of Journalists Malaysia (IOJ), Foreign Correspondents Club of Malaysia (FCCM) and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) in a joint statement, also alleged that one of the journalists (Too Chee Hung @ Chi Too) was warned by the officers to not be like Bruno Manser, a Swiss environment activist who campaigned against logging in Sarawak but went missing in May 2000.
The statement also expressed concerns over Chi Too and his colleague Jules Ong, who were engaged by Singapore broadcaster Channel News Asia, initially being denied access to lawyer Siti Kasim, who acted on their behalf during their detention.
"According to Siti Kasim, the authorities had initially denied her access to both Ong and Chi Too but relented after arguing on points of law. She said they are being investigated under Section 47 of the National Forestry Act for being in a forest reserve without a permit."
Chi Too was also allegedly told by the officers that he and Ong had been tailed for a week prior to their arrest.
"While we do not condone unlawful acts, we stress that heavy-handed treatment of journalists as in the case of Ong and Chi Too is highly unwarranted, particularly as they were in the line of duty reporting on an issue of public interest.
"We also urge the Kelantan Forestry Department to investigate the incident involving its officers allegedly threatening Chi Too," said the statement, adding that journalists should be treated with dignity and respect and public organisations and officials must also be held accountable for their actions.
