PRESS freedom is guaranteed in Malaysia, said Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador amid an outcry over the cops questioning of six Al Jazeera journalists who produced a controversial documentary on the country’s treatment of illegal immigrants during the Covid-19 crisis.

Hamid said police had to take action because the report had caused anger among Malaysians.

“I have no issue with the media and PDRM is always in support of media freedom. I will uphold the freedom of responsible media,” he said.

However, he said the Al Jazeera report had “caused anger among the public”. 

“There are a few things that has (provoked) the emotions of Malaysians. When we investigated, there are elements of inaccuracy that appeared to show Malaysia in a bad light..

“We discussed the matter with the attorney-general and after the attorney-general viewed the investigation papers, (it was found that the case showed) elements under the Sedition Act, Penal Code and Multimedia Act,” he said this afternoon in a press conference.

The Al Jazeera employees and their seven lawyers were today seen going into the Bukit Aman police headquarters where they had been summoned to be questioned over the documentary.

Police are investigating the international news channel under the Penal Code and Sedition Act.

A producer, an editor, a journalist, cameraman and a technician were among the six called in.

The group arrived about 8.50am.

They left the federal police headquarters around 3pm.

Hamid said the individuals were called in as witnesses and not as crime suspects.

“This is not a sentence. We call them in as witnesses, we complete the investigation papers and send them to the AG for review and instructions. The AG will decide if there is enough evidence.

“I assure the local and international media, their safety is always assured. If they have received threats, they can report them to us and we will take action.”

Hamid said police were looking for Bangladeshi Md Rayhan Kabir, who said in the documentary that Malaysian authorities treated illegal immigrants like animals. 

“If he feels that what he said in the documentary is right, then please come forward and explain what he means by the authorities treating migrants like animals,” he said.

Police have recorded the statement of a social activist over a Facebook post alleging the mistreatment of detainees at the Immigration Department’s detention centres.

An investigation has been launched into the statement under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Police previously said they had received five reports over the documentary, which alleges illegal foreign workers were mistreated by the Malaysian authorities enforcing the movement-control order to curb Covid-19. – July 10, 2020.