KUCHING, March 13 – Police have confiscated the travel documents of an ABC News reporter and cameraman who were detained on Saturday for “aggressively” approaching Prime Minister Najib Razak. According to the Australian news outlet, journalist Linton Besser (pictured below) and camera operator Louis Eroglu had their passports seized despite being released after questioning on Saturday.
“Their passports have been taken and they have been told not to leave the country,” the news outlet said on its website on Sunday. It also added that the duo with its 4 Corners news programme was in Malaysia to investigate a local corruption scandal. Edgar Ong, a local assisting the ABC team, was also held. Ms Sally Neighbour, the programme’s executive producer, said on Twitter the staff were arrested “after trying to question Prime Minister Najib Razak over a corruption scandal”.
Mr Najib was in Kuching on Saturday at the launch of the Malaysian National Digital Inclusion programme. The crew had flown to Kuching on Saturday and wanted to ask Mr Najib about the alleged RM2.6 billion (S$880 million) channelled into his bank accounts during the prime minister’s walkabout in Kampung Haji Baki. However, Mr Najib did not respond when the journalist asked the question and the prime minister’s security pushed the crew aside.
Police from the Kota Sentosa station picked the crew up after they had returned to their hotel. The Australian consular in Kuching has appointed a lawyer to handle their case. They are being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in discharge of public function.
State CID chief Juman M.M Sree Shunmugan confirmed the incident and said the police would issue a statement shortly. They had earlier covered the press conference of A. Santamil Selvi, the widow of private investigator P. Balasubramaniam before leaving for Kuching. In a statement, state CID chief Dev Kumar M.M. Sree Shunmugan said the two, who allegedly obstructed public servants on duty, were released on police bail this morning after their statements were recorded.
