PUTRAJAYA (Oct 2): The Putrajaya Media Club (KMP) has lodged reports with police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over a social media post that altered an image of journalists covering Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s visit to his late wife’s grave.

In a statement, KMP said the image of photographers and journalists at Pusara Negara on Thursday had been altered to depict them as animals and accompanied by the caption, Akal waras semakin sukar ditemui (Common sense is becoming increasingly difficult to find).

The club described the post as insulting to media personnel carrying out their professional duties.

“KMP understands everyone’s right to criticise, but freedom of expression should not be used as an excuse to demean or insult media personnel.

“Any criticism should be based on facts and the actual context,” the statement read.

KMP stressed that media personnel had received no official notice from Tun Dr Mahathir’s office or family prohibiting photography or recording at the location.

The Club said journalists understood their responsibility to respect human dignity, privacy and the sensitivities of families, particularly when covering bereavement.

“Journalists’ presence at such events was part of their professional responsibility to document matters of public and national significance.

“KMP will continue to defend the dignity, safety and rights of media personnel to carry out their duties professionally without being subjected to insults or personal attacks,” it said.

Putrajaya police chief ACP Aidi Sham Mohamed confirmed receiving KMP’s report and said the case was being investigated under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

KMP also expressed its condolences to Tun Dr Mahathir and his family over the death of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, describing her passing as a major loss to her family, society and the country.

Siti Hasmah died five days ago at the National Heart Institute on Monday at the age of 100.

The statement followed criticism on social media of journalists and members of the public who photographed Tun Dr Mahathir while he was visiting his wife’s grave.

Uploaded by Lam Seng Fatt