Journalists’ right to act as eyes, ears of the public must not be jeopardised - Johan Jaaffar

SHAH ALAM – Veteran journalist Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar has highlighted that journalists’ right to act as eyes and ears or the public must not be jeopardised following the police’s investigation into a newspaper group editor over a series of exposé on alleged Mossad's operations to abduct Palestinians here.

The National Eminent Journalist said New Straits Times (NST) group editor Farrah Naz Karim had exercised her right as media personnel and should be commended for exposing such an operation.

“The newspaper should be commended for exposing such an operation.

“She (Farrah) and her colleagues must be allowed to operate without fear and favour, especially when it involves matters of national interest and security.

“After all, a free press is critical to ensure a functioning democracy,” he said in a statement.

Johan also urged the police to exercise retrain, caution and understanding in handling the case as freedom of media were crucial in the country.

Johan said as a sovereign country, no country including Israel had the right to operate under such circumstances as it was also revealed that Mossad’s operations were using locals to kidnap the Palestinians.

“It is shocking to know how Israeli operatives are operating in this country.

“The fact that they were planning to abduct two high-value Palestinians here is disturbing,” he added.

Johan also urged the Home Minister and the police to assure the public that such clandestine operation was unacceptable and must be condemned.

The NST had exposed how a Mossad operation to abduct two Palestinians unfolded at Jalan Yap Kuan Seng on Sept 28.

It was revealed a group of locals including a woman had acted as Israeli operatives to abduct two high-value Palestinians, said to be linked to Hamas who are based here.

Following the exposé, Farrah was summoned by the police to have her statement recorded at Dang Wangi police headquarters at 1pm today.