PETALING JAYA: The arrest of a journalist for a Tamil news portal over alleged trespassing at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park has drawn criticism, with calls for his immediate release.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh described the arrest of journalist Kalidas Subramaniom as “unnecessary and disproportionate”, saying it sends a worrying signal to media practitioners carrying out their duties.
Police detained Kalidas following his presence at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park on March 26, where he was covering allegations that more than 300 undocumented migrants were working there without valid permits.
Ramkarpal said it was not unusual for journalists to be at such locations, especially when reporting on matters of public interest.
“It appears that Kalidas was merely doing his job at the time, and arresting him comes across as intimidating journalists carrying out their duties,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (March 31).
He also said that Kalidas had cooperated with authorities and had voluntarily presented himself at the Kulim district police headquarters when requested.
“As such, it cannot be said that this is a case of him not cooperating in investigations,” he added.
Ramkarpal argued that the arrest could have been avoided, as police could have simply recorded Kalidas’ statement during his visit to the station.
“It is unlikely that the police needed to do anything more apart from taking his statement in the course of investigations,” he said.
He further said there was no indication of malicious intent on the journalist’s part to trespass.
“In the circumstances, I call on the authorities to release him forthwith as the matter can certainly be investigated without him being arrested,” he
On Monday (March 30), the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) had also expressed its concern over the arrest.
The MMC urged that the investigation be conducted transparently and professionally, so as to respect journalists’ rights to carry out their duties without undue interference or pressure.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Tamil Press Association chief S. Muthameez Manan also condemned the arrest and said he had raised the matter with Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi has reportedly said he would look into the matter.
