Kulim: The former Free Malaysia Today (FMT) journalist, who was arrested last night on suspicion of raising racial issues in Malaysia during a public lecture on Palestine, will be released once police have completed recording his statement.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that this information was conveyed to him by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Ismail earlier today. Saifuddin Nasution remarked, "I was told that the former journalist will be freed after his statement has been recorded. Investigation is ongoing. once it's completed and the investigation paper has been handed over to the Attorney-General's Chambers, any further decision is under their jurisdiction." He made these comments following the Project Mesra Rakyat Indenture handing-over ceremony at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park.
Saifuddin Nasution emphasized that the police, as an enforcement agency, are fulfilling their duty to ensure compliance with the law, rather than suppressing community freedom. "When there is a complaint, the police will consider further action; that is the first process. Investigation is ongoing. when he is needed for the completion of the investigation, he will be called up at any time," he added.
The Home Minister expressed respect for freedom of speech but underscored that such freedom is coupled with responsibility. He explained that the journalist was covering an event involving a United Kingdom politician and made a comparison between the situation in Palestine and the experiences of the Chinese community in Malaysia. "The politician's answer was also very clear, saying the comparison does not hold water as he knows Malaysia," Saifuddin Nasution noted.
Furthermore, Saifuddin Nasution mentioned that the media company, to which the former journalist was affiliated, had issued an apology, clarifying that the journalist's actions do not reflect the agency's stance. "The incident has gone viral and prompted various public opinions. some were pro and some were against. Some did not agree with the former journalist being arrested on the principle of freedom of speech while others felt that he had crossed the line," he commented.
The former FMT journalist was taken into custody around midnight to assist in the investigation of a circulating video purportedly showing him raising racial issues in Malaysia during a public lecture on Palestine.