Penang police chief, media group clear up 'no contact' directive issue

The ban by the Penang police headquarters against the media from contacting its chief Khaw Kok Chin was just an internal misunderstanding.

Kelab Media Mutiara Pulau Pinang (Mutiara) said this was explained to them during their hour-long meeting with Khaw this morning.

In a statement, the group said both parties shared their views on the issue of the recent "prohibition order on contacting the Penang police chief" issued by the Penang police’s Public Relations Office to media practitioners.

“Khaw explained that the public relations policy since he became the state chief has been open and media friendly.

“He also emphasised that the issue of him cannot be contacted personally does not arise, and that media practitioners were never barred from carrying out their duties.

“He said what happened was due to an internal misunderstanding and expressed regret over things that happened outside of his knowledge as well as inappropriate words directed at media practitioners,” Mutiara said.

The directive

On Wednesday, an officer of the Penang police headquarters informed journalists that Khaw would only make official statements “after obtaining all the verified and ‘corrected’ information” regarding a particular case.

The officer, according to the journalists’ group, added that responses from Khaw obtained on a personal basis after curi-curi (furtively) contacting him would be considered invalid and cannot be used as the police chief’s official response.

The officer also said that “taking news from journalists who are personal with the police chief is considered a violation of journalistic ethics”.

However, there was no reason mentioned for the directive.

When contacted, Mutiara diplomatic and special functions exco Selwan Arjunan said the directive came out of the blue.

“It’s not about any specific matter or incident. It could be about something, but only the police would know about it. It was mostly internal.

“We were not stopped from asking anything. It was kind of a general ban,” he said.

Following the criticism, Khaw told Malaysiakini that he would meet Mutiara representatives today.

Mutiara thanked Khaw’s willingness to take the time to meet with them and expressed hope that such instances would not reoccur.

“Mutiara believes that the Penang police and media practitioners can continue to establish a close relationship while playing their respective roles to the community effectively.” - Mkini