'Pressman' KJ stands with Mkini journos probed over Bukit Aman article

Khairy Jamaluddin has expressed solidarity with three Malaysiakini journalists who are being investigated over a report regarding a reshuffle of the police top brass.

In the last episode of his podcast Keluar Sekejap, the former Umno leader began a segment on local politics with a “not so hot” topic on “our friends Malaysiakini”.

In a brief banter, fellow host Shahril Sufian Hamdan quipped, “Oh, they are now our friends?” and Khairy responded, “Yes because we are now press, right? We are KS Media.”

“In conjunction with us identifying ourselves as media, we want to be in solidarity with the media,” he added.

During his stints as Umno Youth chief as well as youth and sports minister, Khairy had on at least two occasions in 2017 targeted Malaysiakini journalists and even accused the portal of being a “purveyor of one-sided journalism”. 

During the podcast, he also cited the joint statement by the National Union of Journalists Malaysia and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) that reaffirmed journalists’ right to protect the confidentiality of their anonymous sources.

Denial would be enough

Further, Khairy cited Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain’s denial of the reshuffle and raised concerns over the subsequent probe under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 2008.

“For me, if the IGP just denied the story, we would all respect that. There is no need to continue (reporting). But is this (probe) a bit over the top?

“I mean, I feel like since a long time ago there has been untrue news on cabinet reshuffles and we (as part of the BN government) never hauled up journalists over such speculations.

“When, by right, (speculations of) a cabinet reshuffle would also have an impact on public peace. Especially to the political parties involved,” he added.

Section 505(b) relates to the intent to cause, or likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any segment of the public so that a person might be induced to commit an offence against the state or public tranquillity.

Meanwhile, Shahril echoed Khairy’s stand, recalling how both of them as Umno leaders had also been “targeted” by reports that quoted anonymous sources.

“Sometimes we wonder, are these sources real? But that’s a part of being a public figure. It comes with the territory,” he added.

Additionally, Khairy revealed that the police had obtained their statements over an episode last month interviewing Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg.

“I wouldn’t say it’s harassment but it created an uncomfortable feeling.

“We hope it stops there... It wasn’t as if we were attempting to sow chaos in the country. We just hope this won’t create an environment of fear,” he added.

The duo said the investigation followed a police report over the episode, which had asked Abang Johari for his opinion on the autonomy of Sarawak within Malaysia.

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