Selangor state assemblyperson Ahmad Bahri defended his calls for the state legislature to summon a journalist over a news report containing embargoed information, but clarified this was not meant to seek punishment but "to seek an explanation".

Star journalist Loong Meng Yee must clarify the reasons behind her news article and the source of the leak as she, like any other citizen, is bound by state laws and regulations, said Ahmad, who is chairperson of the Selangor assembly's backbenchers' club.

"The reporter must explain why the information was released when it was embargoed for the next day (Monday) as well as from whom she got the information from," he said when met in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"I'm not calling for any kind of action to be taken against her at all," he added.

Ahmad ( right ) said although his call was "unanimously supported" by those present in the assembly that day, it was up to the assembly's Privileges Committee under the chair of Speaker Onn Ismail to decide whether or not to summon the reporter and identify the source of her information.

While Onn could not be contacted for confirmation, Deputy Speaker Satim Diman said the Privileges Committee will be meeting soon to deliberate on the matter. He also said Ahmad's motion was seconded by Bukit Kinrara representative Dr Kow Cheong Wei.

"The issue is a serious matter as journalists should understand the severity of the matter. We want to determine the intention of the journalist in releasing the report," he added.

Negative treatment

In the Star report last Sunday, Loong had quoted sources in reporting that the actions of Sungai Pinang assemblyperson Teng Chang Khim in allegedly throwing a copy of the House's Standing Orders into a rubbish bin may lead to his ' expulsion ' from the state assembly until 2007.

Following Ahmad's calls in the assembly the next day for the reporter to be referred to the Privileges Committee for releasing embargoed information, two media organisations voiced their concerns that Ahmad was 'finding fault' with and subjecting journalists to negative treatment.

The Star reported yesterday that the National Union of Journalists' secretary-general Hong Boon How urged the state government to focus its attention on more important issues such as development rather than "waste its time on trivial issues."

Meanwhile, National Press Club president Ahirudin Attan said assemblypersons should work closely with the media rather than putting journalists "in the dock" merely for writing what the legislators found disagreeable.

Loong however did not want to comment when contected.

Against House rules

Ahmad clarified that Teng was not facing possible expulsion as reported but would only be suspended if the DAP leader does not apologise for alleged contempt of the institution of the state legislature.

Such information, he added, was embargoed to Monday because of concerns that "interested parties or individuals may manipulate the information" to their own ends before the issue could be properly explained in public.

Ahmad also ticked off media organisations, saying he did not understand why they would find fault with his call when national as well as state laws were clear on the nature of classified and unclassified information.

"Freedom and rights of the press should always be respected, and I have always cooperated with the media. But just as journalists have their role to play, we (assemblypersons) also have our role. Any government should be based on laws, rules and regulations," he stressed.

"Under state assembly regulations, anybody who releases information before the date determined for its publication is in breach of the House rules," Ahmad said.