KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia United Democratic Alliance (Muda) urges the government to allow the freedom to report on the country's current issues following the police's move of summoning Free Malaysia Today (FMT) journalist Sean Augustin for his article on flooding in Selangor.
In a statement today, Muda vice president Lim Wei Jiet said the media's role is important during a crisis as the coverage will encourage accountability and a more effective flood relief response.
"The authorities should channel their resources towards flood relief efforts and fighting hardcore crime rather than investigating a reporter who was doing his job.
"Muda rejects any attempts to threaten or intimidate the media and journalists who play an important role in the nation's democracy," he added.
It was reported today that Augustin was called by police to record his statement on the article titled, "Fed up with waiting, military rolls into flood relief" following the flood that happened on Dec 17, last year.
On Dec 21, Augustin, a former New Straits Times journalist, wrote the article quoting an unnamed source who revealed that the armed forces decided to evacuate flood victims to relief centres without waiting for any directive from National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), at a time when the flood was worsening.
Earlier today (Jan 4), Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) posted on Facebook that Augustin was called by the police to take his statement over the article.
Geramm had been made to understand that a police report was lodged on the article by Nadma.
The group also emphasised that the media has a right to continue their duties by raising questions without any pressure or interference, and that authorities have the right and responsibility to give answers or explanations.
"We have advocated for the formation of the Malaysian Media Council for the industry to self-regulate and resolve disputes involving the media without an official investigation.
"The media also has a right to withhold the identity of anonymous sources, which was confirmed via court precedence in the country.
"The authorities must inform the media personnel clearly whether they are being called as a witness to assist investigations, or when police reports have been made against them so they can be better prepared, including having a lawyer to accompany them," it said.