Former journalist claims intimidation by cops over FB post
Former Sarawak-based journalist Joseph Tawie has claimed intimidation by police after having his statement recorded, believed to be in relation to a Facebook post critical of Gedong assemblyperson Mohd Naroden Majais.
In his posting, Tawie – now a farmer after retiring from journalism – alleged that he was approached by four police officers in two unmarked cars at his Simunjan pandan coconut farm around noon yesterday.
"I asked what were the crimes that I have committed...
Former Sarawak-based journalist Joseph Tawie has claimed intimidation by police after having his statement recorded, believed to be in relation to a Facebook post critical of Gedong assemblyperson Mohd Naroden Majais.
In his posting, Tawie – now a farmer after retiring from journalism – alleged that he was approached by four police officers in two unmarked cars at his Simunjan pandan coconut farm around noon yesterday.
"I asked what were the crimes that I have committed.
"They told me that it has something to do with my Facebook posting regarding Naroden," he said.
In the posting dated last Monday, Tawie alleged that Naroden had abused his powers to invite several tuai rumah (longhouse chiefs) for a "gotong-royong" session on one of his farms, and in doing so, had made a fool of the elderly Iban leaders.
"This information was given to me by two tuai rumah who refused to attend the function.
"The police asked me why I wrote the story. I told them I like to expose any wrongdoing by elected representatives and public servants if I find the story is truthful," he said in a separate post.
"The police advised me not to use social media or Facebook to make complaints, otherwise I would be in trouble.
"I told the police I am not scared of being intimidated or threatened or asked to be silenced," he added.
'Treated like a serious criminal'
Apart from police allegedly insisting that he should immediately comply with their request to record his statement, Tawie claimed he was treated like a "serious criminal," with police cars trailing his own throughout the two-hour drive to the Simpang Tiga police station in Kuching.
Acting Kuching police chief Ismail Mahmood confirmed that Tawie had his statement recorded under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and that he was released around 5pm yesterday.
"It's proper for him (Tawie) to come to the police station and have his statement recorded," Ismail told Malaysiakini last night.
When contacted today, an aide to Naroden confirmed that the PBB lawmaker had filed a police report against Tawie several days ago.
"Yes, there was a report. Naroden himself lodged the report a few days ago.
"But I am not sure about details of the police report, because I was not there with him," said special officer Adli Kiprawi.
Meanwhile, Saratok assemblyperson Ali Biju, who is also PKR vice-president, urged the Iban community to remain calm over the incident.
"It is a standard operating procedure for the police to investigate reports lodged with them.
"As Naroden had lodged a report against Tawie, it is reasonable for and expected of the police to investigate the matter accordingly," he said.
Ali added that PKR lawyers led by Batu Lintang assemblyperson See Chee How are representing Tawie and are cooperating with the police to ensure all parties are accorded their rights according to the law.
