Editor-in-chief under OSA probe maintains HSA fire stories based on 'declassified info'
The editor-in-chief of health news portal CodeBlue has maintained that their series of four stories on findings from an independent inquiry into the Johor Baru's Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) fire were based on declassified information.
Boo Su-Lyn, who wrote the four articles published in March, was yesterday summoned to the Putrajaya district police headquarters for questioning in relations to a probe believed to be under the Official Secrets Act 1972...
The editor-in-chief of health news portal CodeBlue has maintained that their series of four stories on findings from an independent inquiry into the Johor Baru's Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) fire were based on declassified information.
Boo Su-Lyn, who wrote the four articles published in March, was yesterday summoned to the Putrajaya district police headquarters for questioning in relations to a probe believed to be under the Official Secrets Act 1972.
"I maintain that the report was declassified from the OSA before the publication of my articles on CodeBlue," Boo told Malaysiakini today.
The articles in question quoted then Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad as saying that findings detailed in the 225-report sighted by CodeBlue have been declassified.
The findings were based on an independent inquiry - of the 2016 incident which claimed six lives - conducted by a seven-member committee led by former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Hishamudin Yunus.
Malaysiakini has contacted Dzulkefly and Mohd Hishamudin for confirmation on the status of the HSA fire report.
Meanwhile, Boo said she was questioned without the presence of her lawyer and her mobile phone has been seized.
"The investigation officer told me that the investigation pertained to the disclosure of government information. A journalist with integrity should not divulge their sources. This ethos is crucial," she stressed.
"As the Fourth Estate, the media must be free to inform the public and hold people in power accountable for their actions.
"Instead of looking for whistleblowers, the government should instead release the HSA fire investigation report to the public immediately, as per the recommendations of the independent inquiry," she added.
In this case, Boo pointed out that patients safety in health care is paramount, and Malaysians must be assured of the safety, including fire safety, of health care facilities across the public and private sector.
"Health care providers have a duty to provide safe and quality care to patients.
"That should be the topic of discussion, not about who leaked the HSA fire investigation report that was commissioned by the government itself," she said.
Following news of the police probe against Boo, press freedom groups Center for Independent Journalism and Gerakan Media Merdeka separately raised concerns on the overuse of repressive laws that impinged on the right to information and press freedom.
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