SEVERAL groups representing media practitioners and journalists have condemned the recent police seizure of a Malaysiakini editor’s laptop and the demand for access to the media organisation’s content management system (CMS).
Describing the warning that failure to comply would constitute an offense as an act of coercion, the groups, among them Gerakan Media Merdeka (GERAMM), Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) said the move raises serious questions about media freedom and the rule of law in Malaysia.
“These actions, reportedly to aid investigations involving former minister Khairy Jamaluddin, represent a dangerous overreach of authority,” they said.
“Rather than addressing the root issues of the alleged defamation through effective investigation and appropriate legal channels, the authorities seem to target a media organisation which had reported on the alleged defamatory statement by Khairy.
“This advances a chilling trend of weaponising legal measures to stifle critical reporting, turning journalists into ‘witnesses’ while threatening their independence and journalistic confidentiality.”
Their statement follows a recent police seizure of the laptop in connection with an investigation into former minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s comments on his podcast Keluar Sekejap.
In the podcast, Khairy alleged that the royal addendum saga involving former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak led to a trust crisis within UMNO, and implied that Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said was involved in concealing the addendum.
The comments later prompted a police report from Azalina’s political secretary Datuk Suraya Yaacob.
Disproportionate, unnecessary
Calling the ongoing investigation against Khairy a “straightforward case”, the groups strongly believe that the seizure of newsroom equipment and demand for access to sensitive and confidential data is “disproportionate, unnecessary and wholly inconsistent with the principles of free and independent media.”
They said such measures amount to blatant intimidation tactics aimed at silencing critical reporting and restricting the media’s ability to perform its essential role in informing the public and holding power to account.
“These actions undermine the foundation of democracy and are reminiscent of authoritarian practices, not those of a modern democratic state,” they stressed.
“We strongly urge the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to immediately halt these draconian measures and respect the fundamental right to media freedom.
“Journalists must be free from intimidation, harassment, and the threat of criminalisation for carrying out their professional duties. The sanctity of the media as the fourth estate must be preserved to ensure transparency, accountability, and the health of Malaysia’s democracy.”
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told reporters at an event today that the laptop will be returned after the investigation is complete.
Fahmi also said that MCMC was acting as a technical agency to assist the police in their probe, based on instructions from the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
He added that he had been informed that Malaysiakini is a witness, not the target of the investigation. – Jan 28, 2025
