Al Jazeera report on illegal migrants to be investigated for sedition, says IGP

PUTRAJAYA: The Al Jazeera report on undocumented migrants in Malaysia will be investigated for several offences including sedition, says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador (pic).

"Since there is a police report lodged against the said media report, it is the responsibility of the police to lodge an investigation to determine if there are any seditious elements or any wrongdoing.

"The reporters will be called in to answer a few questions soon. They will be investigated under several acts, including the Penal Code and the Sedition Act. We will see if they get charged after they answer our questions," Abdul Hamid told reporters at the sidelines of the National Census Day event here on Tuesday (July 7).

Abdul Hamid said "several reports" have been lodged with the police so far against Al-Jazeera.

In its '101 East' programme, Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera's report entitled 'Locked Up in Malaysia's Lockdown' highlighted Malaysia's treatment of undocumented migrants during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In response, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob accused Al Jazeera of "false reporting" and called the broadcaster to apologise to Malaysians.

The Immigration Department also warned that foreigners in Malaysia holding long-term passes were at risk of having their passes revoked if they made damaging remarks against the country.