Journalists arrested for trying to question PM

Four Corners reporter Linton Besser

An ABC Four Corners team has been arrested in Malaysia after trying to question embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak in Sarawak over a snowballing multi-billion corruption scandal now threatening to topple his government.

The arrest comes within days of both the US State Department and UN Human Rights Council separately expressing serious concern over a crackdown on media and free speech in Malaysia under Najib, who is now facing a growing movement to oust him from office.

Four Corners reporter Linton Besser and cameraman Levent Eroglu were arrested in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak state, late Saturday after they tried to put questions to Mr Najib as he campaigned with local politicians ahead of state elections there.

The Australian understands they were stopped by police as they tried to question the Prime Minister during a walk around but then arrested later that night under section 186 of Malaysia’s penal code for obstructing a public officer.

It is believed they were released early Sunday morning on police bail pending investigations and have not yet been charged but their passports have been seized and they are unable to leave the country.