Asean Mps Warn Against Weaponising Law Against Journos

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The Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) has joined the call for a fair, impartial, and transparent investigation into the corruption case involving a Malaysiakini journalist.
It said the arrest of journalist B Nantha Kumar raises concerns about press freedom in the country and the potential misuse of legal mechanisms to target journalists.
“This case risks being perceived as an attempt to stifle investigative journalism. The authorities must ensure that law enforcement is not weaponised to harass journalists.
“A free and independent press is essential to any democracy, and Malaysia must uphold its commitments to media freedom,” APHR co-chairperson and former Klang MP Charles Santiago said in a statement today.
Another APHR co-chairperson, Indonesian MP Mercy Chriesty Barends, reminded that journalists play a key role in exposing corruption and holding those in power accountable.
“While corruption must be tackled, any attempt to use anti-graft laws to intimidate or silence the press is unacceptable,” she said.
Journalist under arrest
MACC arrested Nantha on Friday night, and he is being held under remand until tomorrow.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki claimed Nantha had solicited a RM100,000 bribe for a migrant worker agent in exchange for not publishing two articles concerning the agent, which was subsequently reduced to RM20,000.
The agent then lodged a report to the MACC, which then reportedly arrested Nantha at a Shah Alam hotel where the case was being handed over.
Nantha, who has worked with Malaysiakini since 2018, has recently written extensively about immigration syndicates, including those involving the Immigration Department.
Recently, he broke a story about a new Pakistani cartel allegedly being masterminded by a former Immigration Department officer, who is now a “Datuk”.
Azam confirmed earlier today that the MACC is also investigating the cartel.
In the wake of Nantha’s arrest, several journalist groups have called on the MACC to ensure that journalists under investigation are accorded fair treatment. - Mkini

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