PSM slams probe on KJ's podcast, warns of threat to press freedom

• PSM S Arutchelvan criticises the use of taxpayer-funded police resources to investigate former minister Khairy Jamaluddin over his podcast, urging civil action against criminal prosecution.

• Experts like Benjamin Loh and Geramm spokesperson Radzi Razak condemn the measure, calling it disproportionate and a dangerous precedent for press freedom in a democratic society.

PSM questioned the use of taxpayers-funded police resources to probe Khairy Jamaludin, following a report lodged over an episode of his Keluar Sekejap podcast which Malaysiakini picked up.

In a statement, PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan noted that the report against Khairy (above) was lodged by an aide to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Azalina Othman Said.

He also cited Malaysiakini’s report yesterday that police had seized a laptop from one of the news portal’s editors to facilitate investigations.

“Why can’t the government or Azalina take a civil case rather than pursue a criminal one?

“What is the sign the government is giving by going after those who critique the Madani cabinet member?” Arutchelvan said.

Khairy was commenting on the royal addendum saga related to the former premier Najib Abdul Razak, which he said led to a trust crisis within Umno.

Yesterday, the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department’s Special Investigation Unit recorded a statement from the portal’s executive editor RK Anand.

Malaysiakini is also expected to appear at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) headquarters in Putrajaya today to allow officers to access the portal’s content management system (CMS) details.

The news portal was also informed that failure to comply is an offence.

Overreach and unwarranted

Taylor's University Peace, Justice, and Strong Institution Impact Lab director Benjamin Loh described the authorities’ actions, including the laptop seizure and demand for backend access, as a clear overreach.

He argued that the case, investigated under criminal defamation laws, reflects disproportionate measures.

“If I understand correctly, Malaysiakini may only be at fault for republishing defamatory content rather than creating it. Since they did not produce the defamatory content, why would the authorities need to confiscate the laptop or access their backend system?

“Defamation laws are intended to protect reputations, but their use here seems aimed at silencing criticism over addressing wrongdoing,” Free Malaysia Today quoted Loh as saying.

He further argued that criminal defamation laws are unfair because they let the government involve law enforcement, unlike civil law.

“Based on the Malaysiakini article, it did appear that they were making some strong accusations against specific people in government, based on certain assumptions.

“If there was indeed wrongdoing as they asserted, then they should be able to produce evidence to support their claims if their defamation case goes to trial,” he said.

Similarly, Geramm spokesperson Radzi Razak described police and MCMC’s actions as “heavy-handed” and unwarranted.

“This unnecessary targeting of a newsroom brings the country back to the dark days when authorities freely harassed media they disliked. It is now 2025, not 1955 - these actions are unacceptable in a modern democracy.

“Targeting journalists and news organisations rather than addressing alleged defamation through proper legal channels sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom,” he said.

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