Police are investigating the editor of health news website CodeBlue over reports about the 2016 fire at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) in Johor Baru.
The reports drew from investigations by an inquiry committee appointed by the Health Ministry, the findings of which were submitted to the government in June 2018.
Taking to social media, CodeBlue’s editor-in-chief Boo Su-Lyn said the articles, published in March of this year, covered “declassified findings” of the independent investigation into the October 2016 blaze.
“I am being investigated under the Penal Code and Official Secrets Act 1972 over my articles on the declassified findings of the independent investigation into the 2016 fire at Hospital Sultanah Aminah that killed six patients,” read her tweet.
The articles touch on how the hospital and the ministry did not comply with fire safety requirements, and also questions why legal action was not taken.
“The articles on the HSA fire investigation were written as a matter of public interest, especially on the issue of fire safety of our healthcare facilities.
“The committee’s findings pointed out a strong case of neglect and mismanagement that cost the lives of six people. This horrific incident should never be allowed to happen again.
“Most importantly, there should be justice for the families of the six victims and genuine accountability by those directly and indirectly responsible for their deaths,” Code Blue said in its statement.
It also said the police investigation into its articles was a distraction from the real issues highlighted.
Media freedom advocacy group Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) meanwhile condemned the investigation, saying journalists should not be questioned for asking questions.
“Such incidents are a sign of more media censorship, infringements on the press’ right to information and to report the news unhindered.
“Reporting about findings from a probe to determine cause of the tragic hospital fire and provide closure for families involved clearly does not constitute legitimate grounds for such restrictions,” Geramm said in a statement, also urging Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah to intervene as he had recently promised to uphold press freedom in Malaysia.
On Oct 25, 2016, a fire broke out at the south Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward of the hospital. Six patients died in the incident, while 11 others were injured.
Founded in 1882, the hospital’s current main building was built sometime in the 1930s.
Previous reports stated that one of the causes of the fire was due to a burnt capacitor on a ceiling light.