Australia has contacted the Malaysian government after an ABC Four Corners crew trying to question its prime minister over a corruption scandal was detained by police.
“We are deeply concerned about this. We are providing consular support to the ABC crew and we are certainly raising the issue at the appropriate level within the Malaysian government,” the Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, told reporters in Fiji.
“I’m always concerned where there are instances of a crackdown on freedom of speech in democracies particularly and I’m also concerned about the freedom that journalists have to carry out their work in places around the world, so these are matters that we raise with governments from time to time and we certainly will with Malaysia
“We will do what we can to get to the bottom of this issue and make representations at the highest levels within the Malaysian government.”
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Australia is helping ABC journalists detained in Malaysia after approaching Prime Minister Najib Razak on the street for comment about a corruption scandal
- Journalists Linton Besser and Louis Erogly are being held in Malaysia
- The Four Corners crew questioned Prime Minister Najib Razak on Saturday
- They are to stay in Kuching until officials decide if to charge them
- Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has raised the case with the government
- Ms Bishop says the detention is part of a crackdown on press freedom
- Mr Razak is thought to be involved in a corruption scandal following a murder
A team of ABC journalists detained in Malaysia on Saturday while trying to report on a corruption scandal are receiving consular help, amid fears they could still be charged.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has raised the case with the Malaysian government, and says help is being offered to reporter Linton Besser and camera operator Louie Eroglu after they were arrested in Kuching, the capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak.
The ABC Four Corners crew was arrested on Saturday night after approaching Prime Minister Najib Razak on the street for comment about why it is alleged $1.4 billion has been deposited into his personal bank account, ABC said.
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Reporter Linton Besser (pictured) and camera operator Louis Erogly are receiving consular advice after they were detained in Malaysia on Saturday while trying to report on a corruption scandal
The Four Corners crew (Mr Erogly pictured) were attempting to interview the Prime Minister Najib Razak on the street for comment about why $1.4 billion has been deposited into his personal bank account
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has raised the case with the Malaysian government, and said on Monday that help is being offered (pictured)
Mr Razak did not respond and his security detail surrounded the two and questioned them. They were allowed to leave but were detained again as they returned to their hotel.
Mr. Besser and Mr Eroglu were were then held for six hours before being released without their passports.
Their passports were soon returned but they were told they must remain in Kuching while the attorney-general's office decided whether they should be charged, ABC said.
Mr Razak (pictured) did not respond to the two men when they approached him on Saturday but his security detail surrounded the journalists and questioned them
The Malaysian news agency Bernama cited national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar as saying officials would discuss with Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali whether to charge the pair.
Ms Bishop suggested the detention was part of a Malaysian crackdown on press freedom and said Australia was raising their case at the 'highest levels within the Malaysian government.'
'I'm always concerned where there are instances of a crackdown on freedom of speech in democracies, particularly, and I'm also concerned about the freedom that journalists have to carry out their work in places around the world,' Ms Bishop said on Monday.
Mr Razak is allegedly linked to a bribery and corruption scandal surrounding the death of a socialite in 2006 and critics have questioned if the money was linked to her death
The Malaysian police arrested the men when they returned to their hotel after being stopped by Mr Razak's security detail (stock image)
'Our consular team are giving them support and they are there to give them assistance whenever they need it. Our high commissioner ... in Malaysia is in contact with them.'
Malaysian politicians have called for Mr Razak, 62, to be removed from his office after being under fire over allegations that the money was given directly to him.
The money is thought to be a bribe linked to the killing of Atlantuya Shaariibuu, a socialite, killed in 2006, allegedly by two of Mr Razak's body guards.
In January, Mr Apandi decided not to prosecute the prime minister, saying the money was a 'personal donation' from the Saudi royal family.
The decision whether or not to charge the journalists is expected within the next several days.
The Malaysian news agency Bernama cited national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar as saying officials would discuss with Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali whether to charge the pair (stock image)
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3490914/Julie-Bishop-says-Australia-helping-ABC-Four-Corners-journalists-detained-Malaysia-approaching-Prime-Minister-Najib-Razak.html#ixzz42qZC3JuX
