KUALA LUMPUR: Astro Awani will cooperate with the police in an investigation against one of its newscasters for allegedly making slanderous statement.
Its chief editor Ashwad Ismail said the news channel is of the opinion that a national policing institution which guaranteed the harmony, safety and well-being of the people must always be respected and preserved.
"As a major news channel on current affairs, Astro Awani is committed to enhance cooperation with the community and police through ethical, balanced, and quality reporting," it said today.
Yesterday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said police had initiated investigations on the newscaster under Section 504 of the Penal Code.
Section 504 refers to anyone who intentionally insults, and thereby gives provocation to, any person, intending or knowing it to be likely that such provocation will cause him to break the public peace or commit any other offence.
The investigation is also carried out under Section 233 of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
The newscaster reportedly spoke against the RM50,000 compounds issued to two traders for allegedly flouting standard operating procedures (SOP) in Kelantan recently.
He allegedly uttered the slanderous statement during the Awani 745 segment recently.
