Name: On World Press Freedom Day, Malaysia investigates journalist over 'provocation' - ABC News
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On World Press Freedom Day, Malaysia investigates journalist over 'provocation' - ABC News

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SharePolice in Malaysia have confirmed they are investigating a journalist over her reporting on mass raids targeting migrants and refugees amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Tashny Sukumaran, a correspondent for Hong Kong newspaper the South China Morning Post, said she had been summoned to the Royal Malaysian Police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur Sukumaran says she is being investigated under section 504 of Malaysia's penal code, which allows for up to two years' prison for "whoever intentionally insults, and thereby gives provocation to any person, intending or knowing it to be likely that such provocation will cause [them] to break the public peace".Malaysia's Communications Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said he had asked the country's media regulator not to "act" against Sukumaran."I may not like [yo]ur piece but I will defend [yo]ur right to write it," he wrote on Twitter. including children, last Friday — a move slammed by rights groups.Amnesty International Malaysia called the arrests "an appalling violation of human rights and the persecution of an already marginalised community", adding it was a "clear abuse of power"."Mass arrests being carried out in the middle of a pandemic are terrible enough, but reports of detainees being cramped into small vans, not provided masks, unable to practise social distancing is equally alarming," Amnesty head Preethi Bhardwaj said in a statement."Children have also been taken into custody, their protection flagrantly disregarded."The investigation into Sukumaran's work was confirmed on Sunday, which was World Press Freedom Day.Mr Saifuddin released a statement declaring the Malaysian Government's "clear commitment to press freedom"."At the same time, the freedom of the press must be in line with the principles of truth and justice," he said."In the era of 21st-century technology, the media not only play a role in disseminating transparent information, but also protecting the public from spreading false information that could threaten the stability and harmony of the country."Malaysia saw a marked improvement in its ranking on this year's World Press Freedom Index, jumping 22 spots to 101, after a historic Watchdog organisation Reporters Without Borders has reported "the general environment for journalists is much more relaxed, self-censorship has declined dramatically and the print media are now offering a fuller and more balanced range of viewpoints".Previously blacklisted journalists and media outlets were able to "resume working without fear of harassment", it said.But reform appears to have been derailed by a chaotic leadership crisis in February that About against what was seen as the Defence Minister Ismail Sabri recently lashed out at Channel News Asia reporter Melissa Goh over her reporting about the treatment of migrants amid the Government's handling of coronavirus, accusing her of having "bad intentions".Malaysia enacted strict lockdown restrictions on March 18, known locally as the movement control order.Spurred by sensationalist reporting from some local media outlets, and other foreigners are not observing the country's social-distancing arrangements.Some Rohingya are thought to have attended in late February a religious gathering The Malaysian Prime Minister announced on Friday that from allowing some businesses including restaurants to reopen and for people to exercise outside.3 May 20203 May 2020Sun 3 May 2020 at 7:29pm, 3 May 20203 May 2020Sun 3 May 2020 at 8:22pmMore on:

SharePolice in Malaysia have confirmed they are investigating a journalist over her reporting on mass raids targeting migrants and refugees amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Tashny Sukumaran, a correspondent for Hong Kong newspaper the South China Morning Post, said she had been summoned to the Royal Malaysian Police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur Sukumaran says she is being investigated under section 504 of Malaysia's penal code, which allows for up to two years' prison for "whoever intentionally insults, and thereby gives provocation to any person, intending or knowing it to be likely that such...

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On World Press Freedom Day, Malaysia investigates journalist over 'provocation' - ABC News

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