Friday, July 3, 2020

Journo confirms NFA on migrant raid tweets, to be quizzed on banned book

Malaysiakini

South China Morning Post reporter Tashny Sukumaran today said that no further action will be taken following police investigations of her tweets on the May 1 immigration raid at Selangor Mansion, Kuala Lumpur.
Taking to Twitter, Tashny (above) said she was informed of the matter by the investigating officer (IO) in charge from Bukit Aman yesterday.
"An update on the investigation: I was informed by the IO yesterday that my case is NFA (No Further Action).
"Thank you all again for your support and solidarity!" she said.
Tashny was summoned to Bukit Aman on May 6 and her lawyer New Sin Yew at the time said she was questioned for two hours under Section 504 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
New had pointed out that Tashny was tweeting from the scene as a journalist, although she was not questioned over the Hong Kong-based daily's published article titled "Coronavirus: Hundreds arrested as Malaysia cracks down on migrants in Covid-19 red zones".
With one good news in hand, Tashny told Malaysiakini she was informed by the same Bukit Aman investigating officer that they would be recording another statement on her contribution to the recently banned book "Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance and Hope in New Malaysia".
"The harassment and intimidation of contributors to the book as well as its artist, publisher and editor are ridiculous and against basic constitutional principles of freedom of speech.
"It is settled law that freedom of speech includes media freedom," she said, adding that she was informed police will be contacting all contributors to the book, which featured articles by journalists and writers on the 14th general election.

The book recently sparked outcry and calls for action over its controversial cover that critics argued featured a manipulated image resembling the national coat of arms.
On Wednesday, Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin gazetted the Printing Presses and Publications (Control of Undesirable Publications) Order 2020 that prohibits the printing, importation, production, reproduction, publishing, sale, issue, circulation, distribution or possession of the book.
It said the book is "absolutely prohibited throughout Malaysia" as it is likely to be prejudicial to public order, security, national interest, alarm public opinion and contrary to any law. - Mkini

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