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Police from the Kuala Lumpur Dang Wangi Distrcit Police Station and the Computer Crime Department of the Bukit Aman National Police Headquarters today raided the office of Malaysiakini, an award winning internet daily, in connection with a police report lodged by the youth wing of a ruling party, United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) on a letter published by Malaysiakini, which is claimed by the UMNO youth to have seditious content.

Altogether about 10 policemen arrived at the Malaysiakini's office at about 12.30pm. Despite being offered to show them the server which contained the alleged seditious letter, the police ignored the offer and took away all 19 computers in Malaysiakini's office. The police also refused to say when the computers will be returned. This practically put the popular and independent media out of operation and allow the police to have full access to all confidential information of Malaysiakini.

The police also took away the organisational chart of Malaysiakini.

According to the police, the raid was conducted under the Sedition Act, which provides power to the police to seize materials in the pretext of preserving evidence.

The editor-in-cheif of Malaysiakini, Steven Gan is asked to record a witness statement at the Dang Wangi District police station at 11.00 am tomorrow.

Malaysiakini is an online news daily, which champions freedom of the media in a country where legislation strangles freedom of expression. It's editor Steven Gan has been recognised by CPJ, and the daily won and International Press Freedom award from Reporters Sans Frontieres in Jan 2000.

Suaram condemns strongly the raid by the police and views this as an unwarranted intimidation and harassment on the independent media and a further crackdown to stifle press freedom and freedom of expression in the country.

We urge you to send your strongest protest via email, fax or letter to the followings:

Minister of Home Affairs & Deputy Prime Minister
Dato Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Ministry of Home Affairs (Menteri Dalam Negeri)
Aras 13, Blok D1
Parcel D, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
65202 Putrajaya, Selangor
Malaysia
Telegram: Minister of Home Affairs,
Ministry of Home affairs, Selangor, Malaysia
Fax: + 60 3 8886 8014
E-mail: tpm@smpke.jpm.my
Salutation: Dear Minister of Home Affairs

Inspector General of Police
Tan Sri Norian Mai
Ketua Polis Negara
Ibupejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50502 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Telegram: Inspector General of Police,
Ketua
Polis Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fax: + 60 3 2273 1326 (please note
this number is not always available)
Salutation: Dear Inspector General of
Police

COPIES TO:
Chairman, Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM)
Ybhg. Tan Sri Abdul Talib
Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia
29th Floor
Menara Tun Razak
Jalan Raja Laut
50350 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Fax: + 60 3 2612 5620
E-mail: humanrights@humanrights.com.my

Salutation: Dear Chairman
Committee to Protect Journalists
330, 7th Avenue, 12th Floor,
New York NY 10001 USA
Tel: 212 4651004
Fax: 212 4659568
Email: info@cpj.org

Reporters Sab Frontiers
5, rue Geoffroy-Marie 75009 Paris
Til. 33 1 44 83 84 84
Fax 33 1 45 23 11 51
E-mail : rsf@rsf.org
SOS Presse : 33 1 47 77 74 14

Relelased by,

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)
383 (1st Floor), Jalan 5/59,
Petaling Garden, 46000
Petaling Jaya, Selangor,
Malaysia
Tel: 603-77843525, 77820357
Fax: 603-77843526
Email: suaram@suaram.org
http://www.suaram.org