Cops confirm probing reporter for ‘causing public mischief’ in Sarawak

(MMO) – Police said they are investigating a reporter from an online news portal under the Penal Code after six police reports were lodged over an article written regarding a seminar in Sibu, Sarawak.

Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department SACP Dev Kumar said in a New Straits Times Online report that the reporter is being investigated under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code for allegedly causing public mischief.

However, the police claimed to have no knowledge over the reporter being asked to leave the state immediately.

“We are unaware that she had been asked to leave the state by her employers,” he said in the report.

Section 505(c) deals with any statement, rumour or report “with intent to incite” or “likely to incite any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community of persons”.

If found guilty, a suspect may be jailed up to two years, or fined, or both.

The police reports were lodged following an article that quoted Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee (pic) as saying that Sarawakians should vote for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the state elections, so that “a Muslim leader can continue to lead the Sarawak government.”

Annuar had since claimed that the article had taken his speech during a seminar in Sibu out of context.