PADANG SERAI: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has acknowledged criticism of the police investigation against three journalists over an article on the alleged major shake-up in the force involving its senior officers.
Saifuddin said he valued the critics and understood the concerns being raised.
However, he chose to exercise caution in his response, refraining from going into details on the ongoing investigation.
"I respect their opinion, I don't want to comment more than that," he said during a press conference here today.
Saifuddin had previously said the police had full discretion and authority according to the law to investigate any case.
On Tuesday, police opened investigations into an article published by a news portal claiming there will be a major reshuffle of Bukit Aman's top brass, an allegation that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Hassan described as "fake news."
On Friday, three Malaysiakini journalists spent more than an hour giving their statements to the police today in regards to the article.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said a report on the matter was lodged and investigations have been opened under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
The actions prompted criticism from various parties including DAP deputy national chairperson Teresa Kok and former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
Teresa said the police's summoning three journalists and asking them to reveal their sources would affect media freedom in the country.
Meanwhile, Zaid said the police should deny the allegations if the report were untrue and told the Razarudin not to get 'upset' over the report as it would not topple the Madani government.
The probe also received criticism from media groups including the National Union of Journalists Malaysia, Gerakan Media Merdeka, and Centre for Independent Journalism.