Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan had allegedly urged the media not to cover an event outside the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters today.

In an advisory to editors yesterday, Bukit Aman's public relations department had 'asked for the cooperation' of media organisations in not covering the event.

"The inspector-general of police appeals for your cooperation not to send a representative on the mentioned time and date... Bukit Aman is a prohibited area for public gatherings," read the advisory, a copy of which was obtained by malaysiakini .

The advisory - which was in Bahasa Malaysia and signed by Supt Mohamad Daud - also had the words ' tidak menghantar wakil ' (not to send any representatives) in bold and capital letters.

The event mentioned was the handing of a protest memorandum to Musa regarding the death of a woman detainee in the police lock-up last month.

The concerned groups called on the police chief to pave the way for an independent probe into the case.

Don't interfere

Responding to this, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Writers Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) expressed concern over the police's attempt to stop media coverage.

"When contacted, some newsrooms said they had not received notice of either the event or the police's decision to cancel it. Others were aware of the event, but not the police notice and sent reporters," said CIJ executive director Sonia Randhawa in a statement.

"CIJ and Wami strongly assert the media's right to cover events based on public interest concerns rather than police directives.

"Apart from showing a worrying lack of regard for freedom of expression and media independence, the police action is counter productive as it indicates that the police are unwilling for the public to hear the concerns on allegations of police brutality," she added.

CIJ and Wami also urged Musa to issue a public apology to the groups involved and ensure that such incidents do not recur.

Memo submitted

Meanwhile, Muda Mohd Noor - who covered the event - reported that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth vice-chief S Manickavasagam handed the memorandum to Bukit Aman public relations officer ACP Nawawi Baharom.

There were about 10 journalists and photographers present.

Manickavasagam ( right ) also expressed his disappointment regarding the advisory to Nawawi.

"We called the media, not Musa Hassan. So there is no reason for the police to stop the media from covering this event," he told reporters later.

"We do not want to pick a fight, we want to just meet the police chief. We made numerous appointments but the police always give the excuse that (Musa) is busy. Our letters are also not replied," he said.

On Sept 12, Samiyati Indrayani Zulkarnanin died while in custody at the Wangsa Maju police station and her family suspects foul play.

In today's memorandum, Manickavasagam said the police version that the 45-year-old suspect, who was arrested two days earlier over a drug-related offence, had died suddenly was unacceptable.

According to the post-mortem report, Samiyati died due to intra-cerebral hemorrhage with intra-ventricular extension and perforated gastric ulcer.

The deceased's brother Monashofian Putra had also lodged a police report over the incident. He was also present this morning.