Sunday, September 14, 2008

Was Sin Chew Journalist Reporting A Fact?

Reading from the press reports on the turn of event surrounding the report filed by Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, one will probably conclude that she was doing her job - reporting what Bukit Bendera UMNO chief Ahmad Ismail had said at a talk in the run-up to the Permatang Pauh by-election. That is the only logical conclusion since the police had released her from detention under the ISA albeit that it was done for her safety. Not forgetting that Deputy PM Najib Abdul Razak had aplogized on behalf Ahmad Ismail for his "Chinese are squatters" remarks, and that Ahmad was subsequently suspended by the UMNO Supreme Council over the incident.

See FREED: Tan detained because life was 'under threat' (NST) and also MCA’s Fong: Home Minister’s explanation ‘unacceptable’.

In another development, de facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim gives his views on the proper use of the ISA 'Wrong use of ISA: De facto law minister', saying it "should only be used against terrorists or those trying to topple the government by force". But Minister in the PM Dept Ahmad Zahid begs to differ, saying the detentions were justified. See also Invoking ISA is not the solution, says Koh (NST).

Meanwhile, DAP Adviser Lim Kit Siang told reporters that Seputeh MP Teresa Kok had been warned of her Internal Security Act detention, but she refused to go into hiding. See Teresa was warned of impending detention (NST).

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