Journalist groups slams reporters arrest

PETALING JAYA: Independent journalist groups are slamming the arrest of two reporters during a crackdown on an Orang Asli blockade in Gua Musang on Jan 24.
In a joint statement, the Institute of Journalists Malaysia (IoJ), Foreign Correspondence Club of Malaysia (FCCM), and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) said the arrests were unnecessary as the journalists are simply performing their duty.
"While we do not condone unlawful acts, we stress that heavy-handed treatment of journalists as in the case of Jules Ong and Chi Too is highly unwarranted, particularly as they were in the line of duty reporting on an issue of public interest," the statement read.
The group called on the Kelantan Forestry Department to investigate the incident and stressed that public officials must be transparent and accountable for their actions.
The two journalists engaged by Singapore-based broadcaster Channel News Asia are being investigated under Section 47 of the National Forestry Act for being in a forest reserve without a permit.
They were arrested during an early morning operation led by the Department to dismantle a blockade erected by Orang Asli activists to prevent allegedly illegal loggers from encroaching into forest reserves there.
Lawyer Siti Kasim and the Malaysian Indigenous Peoples Network (JOAS) confirmed that the two journalists were handcuffed and Chi Too was also verbally threatened by the Department.
The operation also picked up 16 Orang Asli activists, whom have been manning the blockade since October last year.