POLICE are investigating the editor of health news website CodeBlue over reports about the 2016 fire at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) in Johor Baru, Johor in which six patients died.

The reports drew from investigations by an inquiry committee appointed by the Health Ministry, the findings of which were submitted to the government in June 2018.

CodeBlue’s editor-in-chief Boo Su-Lyn will be giving a statement to police in Putrajaya at 2pm today, the website said in a statement.

She is being investigated under Section 203A of the Penal Code pertaining to the disclosure of information.

The website had published four news articles based on the ministry’s inquiry committee in March this year.

The articles touch on how the hospital and the ministry did not comply with fire safety requirements, and also questions why legal action was not taken.

“The articles on the HSA fire investigation were written as a matter of public interest, especially on the issue of fire safety of our healthcare facilities.

“The committee’s findings pointed out a strong case of neglect and mismanagement that cost the lives of six people. This horrific incident should never be allowed to happen again.

“Most importantly, there should be justice for the families of the six victims and genuine accountability by those directly and indirectly responsible for their deaths,” Code Blue said in its statement.

It also said the police investigation into its articles was a distraction from the real issues highlighted.

Media freedom advocacy group Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) meanwhile condemned the investigation, saying journalists should not be questioned for asking questions.

“Such incidents are a sign of more media censorship, infringements on the press’ right to information and to report the news unhindered. 

“Reporting about findings from a probe to determine cause of the tragic hospital fire and provide closure for families involved clearly does not constitute legitimate grounds for such restrictions,” Geramm said in a statement, also urging Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah to intervene as he had recently promised to uphold press freedom in Malaysia. – June 26, 2020.