Astro Awani pledges cooperation in police probe against news presenter

 

Broadcaster Astro Awani has pledged full cooperation with a police probe against one of its newscasters for making allegedly slanderous remarks in relation to two recent RM50,000 compounds issued in Kelantan.

Astro Awani chief editor Ashwad Ismail confirmed the probe was over comments made on Awani 745, the channel's prime time news.

"We are always of the stand that the police institution tasked to uphold the people's welfare and harmony must be respected and protected at all times.

"As a news and current affairs channel, Astro Awani remains committed to strengthening the existing cooperation between the public and the police through ethical, balanced and quality coverage," he said in a statement today. 

Malay daily Berita Harian yesterday reported that the news presenter supposedly criticised the police over an incident in Kelantan where a burger seller was slapped with a RM50,000 compound for breaching Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).

The report did not mention what exactly was said by the news presenter, and through what channel, but it came after there was much public support on social media for an Astro Awani presenter who decried the RM50,000 compound as an "unthinkable" sum.

“While some have their brains on top, some act as though their brains are on their knees by imposing a RM50,000 compound on small traders who were merely doing business in their own villages,” the presenter remarked.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani was quoted as saying that the statement was not only slanderous but caused animosity from the public towards law enforcers, especially the police.

“This is because the police’s actions are based on existing laws for containing the Covid-19 pandemic," he reportedly said.

The case is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code that criminalises insults intended to "provoke a breach of peace".

The case is also being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for abuse of network facilities. - Mkini