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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Malaysia detains Australian reporters who questioned PM | Malaysia detains Australian reporters who questioned PM |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| An Australian reporter and camera operator have been briefly detained in Malaysia after attempting to question Prime Minister Najib Razak. | An Australian reporter and camera operator have been briefly detained in Malaysia after attempting to question Prime Minister Najib Razak. |
| Linton Besser and Louie Eroglu approached Mr Najib in Kuching on Saturday to ask him about corruption allegations, which he denies. | |
| The pair, filming for ABC's Four Corners, were released without charge but cannot leave Malaysia. | The pair, filming for ABC's Four Corners, were released without charge but cannot leave Malaysia. |
| Australia's foreign minister said it raised concerns about press freedom. | Australia's foreign minister said it raised concerns about press freedom. |
| Julie Bishop said Australia had raised the matter with the Malaysian authorities. | Julie Bishop said Australia had raised the matter with the Malaysian authorities. |
| "I'm always concerned when there are instances of a crackdown on freedom of speech, in democracies particularly," ABC quoted Ms Bishop as saying. | "I'm always concerned when there are instances of a crackdown on freedom of speech, in democracies particularly," ABC quoted Ms Bishop as saying. |
| "I'm also concerned about the freedom that journalists have to carry out their work." | "I'm also concerned about the freedom that journalists have to carry out their work." |
| Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia was not obstructing the media, but that foreign media workers "must perform their duties according to the journalism ethics". | Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia was not obstructing the media, but that foreign media workers "must perform their duties according to the journalism ethics". |
| 'Failing to comply' | 'Failing to comply' |
| Mr Besser and Mr Eroglu had approached Mr Najib while he was visiting a mosque in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak state. | |
| They attempted to ask Mr Najib about a $681m (£478m) payment from the 1MDB state investment fund that he set up to his personal account. | They attempted to ask Mr Najib about a $681m (£478m) payment from the 1MDB state investment fund that he set up to his personal account. |
| Mr Najib has been cleared of personal wrongdoing by Malaysian prosecutors but a number of international investigations are ongoing. | Mr Najib has been cleared of personal wrongdoing by Malaysian prosecutors but a number of international investigations are ongoing. |
| A statement issued by Malaysian police to news agency Bernama said the two men crossed a "security line and aggressively tried to approach the prime minister". | A statement issued by Malaysian police to news agency Bernama said the two men crossed a "security line and aggressively tried to approach the prime minister". |
| "Both of them were subsequently arrested for failing to comply with police instructions not to cross the security line," the statement said. | "Both of them were subsequently arrested for failing to comply with police instructions not to cross the security line," the statement said. |
| In an email to staff, ABC's director of news, Gaven Morris, said Mr Besser and Mr Eroglu did not believe they had crossed a police line and had not obstructed officials. | |
| He said they had "fully cooperated with the police" and were receiving consular and legal support. | He said they had "fully cooperated with the police" and were receiving consular and legal support. |
| The men been released on bail and had their passports returned, but could still face charges. | The men been released on bail and had their passports returned, but could still face charges. |