Malaysianow S Lawyer Slams Police Probe After Farhash Expos

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MalaysiaNow’s lawyer has condemned a police investigation targeting the news portal after it exposed a mineral exploration licence scandal in Sabah involving a former aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
This afternoon, the portal’s editor, Abdar Rahman Koya, was summoned for police questioning over the articles. Lawyer N Rajesh said the session lasted just 15 minutes, from 2.45pm to 3pm.
“Phone was not seized. Rahman was not detained. Rahman was also not asked to go back for further questioning. Questions were asked about the Sabah mining scandal,” Rajesh told Malaysiakini when contacted.
“It is ridiculous for this government to haul up journalists and question them for merely doing their job, ie publishing news articles.
“The press is an absolutely vital element of any functioning democracy, and the home minister must ensure that the police do not infringe journalists’ freedom of expression.
“Lest the mighty home minister forgets, freedom of expression is a constitutional right and any interference with the right of the press will not be countenanced,” Rajesh said, referring to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
N RajeshDuring the questioning, Rajesh said Rahman was also asked to reveal the sources who had spoken to MalaysiaNow.
“My client invoked his right of silence and refused to answer the questions posed,” Rajesh said.
Exposé followed by denials
Last month, MalaysiaNow connected Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak to the Sabah mining exploration licence scandal, with the news portal publishing an audio recording allegedly showing Chief Minister Hajiji Noor voicing support for a company linked to the former.
The board of Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM), which Hajiji chairs, subsequently denied that any company linked to Farhash was granted a prospecting licence in the state.
Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal MubarakFarhash also issued a denial and a cease and desist letter against MalaysiaNow over its article detailing the allegations.
Earlier this month, MalaysiaNow confirmed that it is the subject of a police investigation following a complaint lodged by SMM.
Warisan had also condemned the police investigation into the news portal, with its supreme council member Mudi Dubing expressing disappointment that the authorities were targeting the media instead of investigating the allegation. - Mkini

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