PUTRAJAYA: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has urged journalists to assist the police with investigations concerning their sources.
"If there is a police report is filed based on the existing laws, we ask anyone involved to cooperate with the investigation. The police will proceed according to the laws.
"While the ministry respects the media's right to protect whistleblower information, existing laws still apply and we encourage full cooperation," he told reporters during his weekly press conference.
Fahmi said this in response to a question on what the media should do if there is a police probe to find out about sources.
According to the government's media code of ethics, it stated that journalists must protect their sources.
Yesterday, the police opened investigations into an article published by a portal claiming that there will be a major reshuffle of Bukit Aman's top brass.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said a report on the matter was lodged with the police.
He said investigations have been opened under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for making statements with the intent to cause fear or alarm among the public and for inducing any person to commit an offence against the state or public tranquillity, as well as misusing network facilities, respectively.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has dismissed a report claiming that Bukit Aman is planning a major reshuffle of its top leadership.
He confirmed that he had discussed the matter with Bukit Aman secretary Datuk Kamaruzaman Abdullah.