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March 04, 2025 – Malaysia –
Malaysiakini journalist B. Nantha Kumar was released in early March 2025 after being held for four days by Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over bribery allegations. He was accused of accepting RM20,000 from a source allegedly linked to a migrant worker syndicate, in exchange for withholding two news articles that would have exposed the group.
Nantha, who has been with Malaysiakini since 2018, was detained on February 28 after an agent lodged a report accusing him of demanding a bribe—initially RM100,000, later reduced to RM20,000. He was held under remand while investigations were carried out, raising alarm among press freedom advocates.
Upon his release on March 4, Nantha filed a police report against the same agent, claiming the money had been offered to him without solicitation during an interview. According to Nantha, he never agreed to accept the bribe and maintained that he was in the process of reporting on the agent’s activities related to the migrant labor syndicate.
Following the incident, Malaysiakini launched an internal investigation to determine if there was any breach of its ethical guidelines. On April 22, an independent panel cleared Nantha of any wrongdoing, stating there was no evidence to support the bribery claims against him. He was reinstated to his role at Malaysiakini shortly afterward.
Malaysiakini reiterated its support for ethical journalism and its commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in its newsroom. The organization emphasized the importance of protecting its journalists, especially when reporting on sensitive subjects such as corruption, labor exploitation, and organized crime.
The case highlighted the vulnerability of investigative journalists in Malaysia, who often face threats or legal repercussions when reporting on powerful figures or controversial issues. Press freedom groups have expressed concern that such detentions could discourage journalists from pursuing critical stories, thereby weakening accountability and transparency in the country.
Nantha’s release and subsequent exoneration were seen as a positive outcome for media freedom in Malaysia, but the incident underscores the ongoing tension between press scrutiny and political or corporate interests.
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