Thread by @tashny

Happy World Press Freedom Day!

I have been summoned to Bukit Aman this Wednesday for questioning over my reporting of the immigration raid on the downtown KL red zone on #MayDay.

According to PDRM, I am being investigated under Sek 504 of the Penal Code and Sek 233 of the Communications & Multimedia Act.

Many of you heard the news super quick (can jadi reporter yourselves wei) and sent messages of support. I want to say thank you so much <3

My dear friend @CitizenNades wrote a column questioning the allegation that (as per the relevant section in law) I/my piece "intentionally insults, and thereby gives provocation to any person". He pointed out that #Malaysia had climbed 22 spots in the World Press Freedom report.

Clearly, it is still too soon for us to celebrate. There's still lots of work to be done in bringing the truth and the facts to you guys - and I am privileged to be able to report for @SCMPNews while doing this, legitimately one of the most nurturing newsrooms I've been with.

As @CIJ_Malaysia pointed out in their thread on #WorldPressFreedomDay, there have been many attempts of late to silence reporters. Foreign media are excluded from 'official' WhatsApp groups, including the PMO's. Journalists are being called in. Limited access to govt PCs.

I know you're all wondering 'wahlau why Tashny always in trouble'. My ma would tell you I was born in trouble, and then repeat the embarrassing story about how once I tried to run away from home with two t-shirts and six pairs of underwear. But that's a story for another time.

What I CAN tell you is that I promise all of you - those who like my reporting *and* those who hate it and call me racist slurs online - that I am not stopping. All of you deserve access to the truth. I am here to speak truth to power, without fear or favour.

I'll continue posting updates re: the questioning on Wednesday. Please don't come to Bukit Aman - let's practice social distancing. I have aired my concerns re: social distancing to the inspector and he has promised to use a larger room so that all of us can maintain distance.

Thank you again to everyone who released statements, wrote articles, called, texted. Thank you to the brilliant @S_Y_New who layaned my persistent calls & texts for advice in between his webinars and other commitments. After ten years in this job, I owe you a massive debt.

And to everyone reading this on Twitter - Happy World Press Freedom Day. Thank you for the times you've stood with reporters, called us out when we let you down, supported us when Big Brother swoops in. To those in #Malaysia, remember this country belongs to all of us.

There's lots to do, lots to fix. This is a truism, something we must demand of ourselves regardless of who is in power.

"The road is long, we're on stony ground / But I am strong and you ain't heavy."

Let's get to work.