International press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on the government to cease all action against Malaysiakini journalist Susan Loone, who was arrested for sedition.
 
Paris-based RSF Asia-Pacific desk chief Benjamin Ismaïl said Loone should not be punished for reporting what interviewees say.
 
“Journalists who interview people in the course of their reporting cannot be held responsible for what their interviewees say.
 
“Malaysia’s journalists will continue to be exposed to this kind of political reprisal as long as the repressive and obsolete Sedition Act is not repealed,” he said in a statement.
 
He added that the action against Loone is “totally baseless and violates her freedom to inform others”.
 
Loone was arrested and questioned for nine hours over her report quoting Penang state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh (right) while he was in custody.
 
Phee, who is in charge of the Penang Voluntary Patrol (PPS), was arrested after the Penang state government-sponsored PPS was declared “illegal”.
 
In the article, the Penang cabinet member was quoted as saying that he felt he was “treated like a criminal” as his fingerprints and mugshot were taken by police.
 
Loone was arrested after right-wing NGOs, including Penang Perkasa, lodged reports against her for allegedly defaming the police through the news article.

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