It is learnt that she was released from the state police headquarters at about 2.30pm, and escorted back to her home by the police.
Previously it was stated that she was taken to federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, following her arrest last night.
Tan, 33, was arrested at 8.30 last night under the Internal Security Act.
Her freedom after a 16-hour ISA detention was expected as Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar had earlier said that Tan may be released as early as today.
Speaking from Johor Baru this morning, Syed Hamid justified Tan's detention under the ISA with the reason that it was part of the government's preventive measure "to ensure her safety".
The minister claimed police intelligence have indicated that the journalist's life was under threat after she reported an Umno division leader's allegedly racist remarks.
"We have no intention of holding a reporter as after all she was just taking notes of the comments made by a certain party that led to a public debate.
"She may be released as soon as today after police have obtained all information needed," Syed Hamid was quoted as saying by Star Online.
The minister added that Selangor senior state exco Teresa Kok's arrest was linked to her comment over the mosque and the morning prayers which had allegedly "created public disorder and problems".
Syed Hamid also stressed the government was "not making arrests just for the sake of arrests."
"We will not make any more arrests under the ISA as long as there is no more disturbance to public peace and order," he explained.
No further police action?
He also asked all newspapers to cooperate with the government and not incite negative feelings or sentiments.However the minister also did not rule out further arrests but said that further police action was "not expected".
Tan was detained in Bukit Mertajam last night as part of a nationwide ISA dragnet.
Her involvement was allegedly linked to her article which quoted Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail who sparked the ‘Chinese squatters' debacle.
Syed Hamid is also expected to hold a press conference later today at Bukit Aman. - malaysiakini
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Sin Chew reporter released
Tan Hoon Cheng was released this afternoon, 16 hours after she was arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA), and is now back at her house in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, according to Malaysiakini.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
Stupid, Ugly, Bad and a lier.
The Sin Chew Daily reporter's arrest under the ISA is a miscarriage of justice, nothing more , nothing less!
No amount of justifications can vindicate the government.That is the reason why she was hurriedly released.But the damage has been done.The ISA was not only misused but
abused by the government.Albar's attempts to justify is idiotic, to say the least.I think a school boy can do better!Perhaps, UMNO was
trying to appease the extremists in their mist and did not expect
strong objections from all strata of malaysian society which cut across the racial barrier.Thus the flip-flop!What can be more rediculous than saying that the ISA was used to safeguard that person's safety!The ISA is a draconian and archaic law that should be repealed as it is being used to intimidate the people.I hope the government is not resorting to playing the race card as alleged by many thinking Malaysians.
Ha ha ha! Now You can be detained under ISA if the government thinks your life is in danger. That’s the new provision under the ISA.
Why is Teresa still being detained? Didnt the mosque committe deny that she was involved?
If the Sin Chew reporter's safety was under threat, the police should hold Ahmad Ibrahim and Penang opposition chief Azhar responsible. The former was the centre of the controversy and the latter was reported to have said the reporter ought to be shot.
If any harm is done on Tan, police should go after these two as prime suspects. So, why detained her under ISA?
No need to detain them under the ISA.
There are enough laws under which they can be charge4.
Stupid!
ISA = Internal Shameful Act !!
ISA = Internal Shameful Act !!
" aiyah ! u people dun faham lah, RPK & teresa's lives are both in DANGER so we have to ISA & protect them lah !!"
Dia tu ditahan dulu lepas tu disoal siasat. Setelah selesai semua dia lepas lah balik. Bukan senang2 je nak tahan2 orang ni.
Post a Comment