PAS: Police probe on MalaysiaNow editor 'overboard', unnecessary

PAS has condemned a police probe against MalaysiaNow editor Abdar Rahman Koya over the portal’s exposé on a mineral exploration licence scandal in Sabah involving a former aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

In a statement, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the move to investigate Rahman under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation was “overboard” and an intimidation against freedom of the press.

“PAS views this police investigation as somewhat excessive and appears more aimed at intimidating the media into silence rather than uncovering allegations of misconduct involving government agencies and certain vested interests.

“The speed of the investigation and the fact that the parties allegedly involved have already taken their own actions to reject the media report - whether through explanations, denials, or civil lawsuits against Rahman and the news portal he leads - make the police investigation seem neither urgent nor necessary,” he said.

Takiyuddin drew a comparison between the case against Rahman and the MACC arrest of Malaysiakini journalist B Nantha Kumar earlier this year.

The arrest was over a report lodged by parties allegedly involved in a migrant workers smuggling cartel, whose alleged activities were exposed by Nantha in his news reports.

He stressed that law enforcement agencies should focus their investigation into the alleged illegal activities which the journalists had exposed instead of training their guns on the media.

“PAS also wants to stress that such actions by enforcement bodies can be seen as a regressive step that contradicts the role of journalists and the media as a crucial pillar of democracy, the principle of freedom of speech, and the system of checks and balances.

“PAS believes that any action or behaviour that could be seen as disturbing, restricting, or intimidating this fourth pillar of democracy must be completely avoided.”

On Aug 12, it was reported that Rahman was summoned for police questioning after MalaysiaNow exposed the scandal.

According to his lawyer, Rajesh Nagarajan, Rahman was being investigated for alleged criminal information disclosure and criminal defamation.

Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, Anwar’s former aide, denied the allegations published by MalaysiaNow and has sued the portal and Rahman for RM10 million in damages.

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