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Probe custodial deaths instead of going after media, NGOs tell cops

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More NGOs condemn threat by Gombak police chief to sue news portal.

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Free Malaysia Today
Twelve NGOs have called on Malaysian authorities to immediately cease their harassment of journalists. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA:
The police should concentrate on investigating the recent case of a death in custody instead of threatening media outlets, a group of 12 NGOs said in a joint statement.

In the statement published on the Amnesty International Malaysia website, the NGOs said it was unacceptable for the police to harass and threaten journalists and media organisations for fulfilling their responsibility to report on matters of public importance.

The public, they said, have the right to comment on and discuss issues such as deaths in police custody, including the one involving cow’s milk trader A Ganapathy who died after being hospitalised for a month.

He had been taken to hospital from the Gombak district police headquarters where he was previously held.

The NGOs went on to call on the authorities to immediately cease their investigation and harassment of journalists and media networks in the country.

Police, they said, should respect, protect and fulfil the right to freedom of expression and media freedom.

“Instead of going after reporters who are doing their job or threatening members of the public rightfully concerned about yet another death in police custody, we urge the police to focus on investigations into Ganapathy’s death and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” it said.

The statement was endorsed by Amnesty International Malaysia, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Demokrat Kebangsaan, G25, Justice For Sisters, Lawyer Kamek for Change (LK4C), Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS), PLUHO (People Like Us Hang Out!), Sisters In Islam (SIS), Suaram (Suara Rakyat Malaysia), Sustainable Development Network Malaysia and Tenaganita.

Gombak police chief Arifai Tarawe has threatened to sue FMT for RM10 million if the media outlet does not apologise and retract two reports which he claims are libellous and have tarnished his image.

Arifai claimed that the articles, “Under-fire Gombak police chief transferred to Integrity Unit” and “Ketua polis daerah Gombak ditukarkan ke Unit Integriti Bukit Aman” constituted false reporting, and smeared his reputation and questioned his integrity.

FMT is standing by its reports.

Earlier, two Malaysiakini sub-editors had been questioned by police over reports on Ganapathy’s death.

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