Ex-FMT Journalist To Be Freed After Statement Is Recorded - Saifuddin Nasution

KULIM, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- The former Free Malaysia Today (FMT) journalist, who was arrested last night on suspicion of raising racial issues in Malaysia during a public lecture on Palestine, will be released once police have completed recording his statement.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this was told to him by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Ismail this morning.

"I was told that the former journalist will be freed after his statement has been recorded.

"Investigation is ongoing… once it's completed and the investigation paper has been handed over to the Attorney-General's Chambers, any further decision is under their jurisdiction,” he said when met after the Project Mesra Rakyat Indenture handing-over ceremony to the contractor at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park here today.

According to Saifuddin Nasution, the police, as an enforcement agency, are only carrying out their responsibility to ensure the law is complied with, and not to suppress the freedom of the community.

"When there is a complaint, the police will consider further action; that is the first process. Investigation is ongoing… when he is needed for the completion of the investigation, he will be called up at any time,” he said.

Saifuddin Nasution said he respects the freedom of speech but asserted that freedom comes with responsibility.

"The journalist was covering an event involving a United Kingdom politician… then he made a comparison of the situation in Palestine, where Israel oppresses the people of Palestine… he compared it with the treatment received by the Chinese community in Malaysia.

"The politician's answer was also very clear, saying the comparison does not hold water as he knows Malaysia,” he said.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said the media company, which the former journalist belonged to, had also apologised and stated that it does not reflect the agency’s position.

"The incident has gone viral and prompted various public opinions… some were pro and some were against. Some did not agree with the former journalist being arrested on the principle of freedom of speech while others felt that he had crossed the line,” he said.

The former FMT journalist was arrested at about midnight yesterday to assist in investigations into the circulation of a video showing him allegedly raising racial issues in Malaysia during a public lecture on Palestine.

-- BERNAMA