Media Council criticizes arrest of ex-FMT journalist as unnecessary and punitive

PETALING JAYA, Jan 17 — The Malaysian Media Council has questioned the arrest and detention of former Free Malaysia Today journalist Rex Tan, describing the move as unnecessary and punitive.

The council issued a statement on Saturday addressing the incident involving Tan, who was previously employed by the online news portal.

"The arrest appears to be an excessive measure that does not align with principles of press freedom," the council said.

Tan was taken into custody by authorities earlier this week, though specific charges or reasons for the arrest were not disclosed in the council's statement.

The council emphasized the importance of protecting journalists' rights and ensuring they can perform their duties without fear of reprisal.

It called for a review of the case to determine if proper procedures were followed during the arrest.

Free Malaysia Today, where Tan worked, is a prominent independent news outlet in Malaysia known for its critical reporting.

This incident occurs amid ongoing debates in Malaysia about media regulations and freedom of expression under current laws.

Past cases of journalist arrests have sparked similar concerns from local and international press freedom organizations.

The council urged authorities to provide transparency and ensure fair treatment for Tan as the case proceeds.