The case I told today in class

[Chin-Huat Wong]

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/57828

IGP 'tells' media what (not) to do
Oct 6, 06 4:11pm

Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan had allegedly urged the media not to
cover an event outside the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters today.

In an advisory to editors yesterday, Bukit Aman's public relations
department had 'asked for the cooperation' of media organisations in not
covering the event.

"The inspector-general of police appeals for your cooperation not to send a
representative on the mentioned time and date... Bukit Aman is a prohibited
area for public gatherings," read the advisory, a copy of which was obtained
by malaysiakini.

The advisory - which was in Bahasa Malaysia and signed by Supt Mohamad
Daud - also had the words 'tidak menghantar wakil' (not to send any
representatives) in bold and capital letters.

The event mentioned was the handing of a protest memorandum to Musa
regarding the death of a woman detainee in the police lock-up last month.

The concerned groups called on the police chief to pave the way for an
independent probe into the case.

Don't interfere

Responding to this, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Writers
Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) expressed concern over the police's
attempt to stop media coverage.

"When contacted, some newsrooms said they had not received notice of either
the event or the police's decision to cancel it. Others were aware of the
event, but not the police notice and sent reporters," said CIJ executive
director Sonia Randhawa in a statement.

"CIJ and Wami strongly assert the media's right to cover events based on
public interest concerns rather than police directives.

"Apart from showing a worrying lack of regard for freedom of expression and
media independence, the police action is counter productive as it indicates
that the police are unwilling for the public to hear the concerns on
allegations of police brutality," she added.

CIJ and Wami also urged Musa to issue a public apology to the groups
involved and ensure that such incidents do not recur.

Memo submitted

Meanwhile, Muda Mohd Noor - who covered the event - reported that Parti
Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth vice-chief S Manickavasagam handed the
memorandum to Bukit Aman public relations officer ACP Nawawi Baharom.

There were about 10 journalists and photographers present.

Manickavasagam also expressed his disappointment regarding the
advisory to Nawawi.

"We called the media, not Musa Hassan. So there is no reason for the police
to stop the media from covering this event," he told reporters later.

"We do not want to pick a fight, we want to just meet the police chief. We
made numerous appointments but the police always give the excuse that (Musa)
is busy. Our letters are also not replied," he said.

On Sept 12, Samiyati Indrayani Zulkarnanin died while in custody at the
Wangsa Maju police station and her family suspects foul play.

In today's memorandum, Manickavasagam said the police version that the
45-year-old suspect, who was arrested two days earlier over a drug-related
offence, had died suddenly was unacceptable.

According to the post-mortem report, Samiyati died due to intra-cerebral
hemorrhage with intra-ventricular extension and perforated gastric ulcer.

The deceased's brother Monashofian Putra had also lodged a police report
over the incident. He was also present this morning.
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Chin-Huat Wong
Department of Government
University of Essex
Colchester CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom