KUALA LUMPUR – Police have opened investigation papers against Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan and Klang MP Charles Santiago for comments made after the Federal Court found the news portal guilty of contempt.
Kuala Muda district police chief Adzli Abu Shah confirmed that two separate police reports were lodged by the same person, who is from a NGO based in Gurun, Kedah yesterday.
“Investigation papers have been opened under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Multimedia and Communications Act
“The complainant made two separate reports, one against Gan, one against YB Charles (Santiago).
“We have not contacted them yet, but we will call them shortly to facilitate investigations,” he was quoted as saying in Malaysiakini.
Last Friday, the Federal Court slapped Malaysiakini with a RM500,000 fine for contempt in relation to comments left by readers against the judiciary.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun initiated contempt proceedings against the news portal and Gan.
Idrus argued that both respondents had scandalised the court by facilitating five readers’ comments on an article dated June 9 titled “CJ orders all courts to be fully operational from July 1.”
While the Federal Court ruled that Gan was not guilty of the same charge, the 6-1 majority decision cannot be appealed but can be reviewed by the apex court.
Gan and Santiago were among many individuals and NGOs who made statements that were critical of the verdict in its aftermath. – The Vibes, February 22, 2021
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