Malaysia Media Council & Media groups comes together to condemn arrest of Journalist Kalidas Subramaniam

KULIM: The arrest of Kalidas Subramaniam, a journalist from the digital media outlet Thinathanthi, has triggered widespread condemnation among media groups across Malaysia. The Malaysia Media Council (MMC) has formally issued a statement, urging authorities to ensure that the investigation against the journalist is conducted fairly and professionally.

According to the police, Kalidas was arrested on the 30th of March for allegedly trespassing on factory premises in the Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kulim, Kedah. Along with Kalidas, ten other individuals were also taken into custody in connection with the same incident. Kalidas is believed to be currently being detained at the Kulim District Police Headquarters.

Call for professional conduct 

In a press statement released yesterday (March 30), the Malaysia Media Council emphasised that any legal action taken against a journalist must be strictly based on necessity, principle, and fairness. The Council insisted that the police must clearly distinguish between a journalist performing their professional duties and an actual criminal violation of the law.

“The work of a journalist often requires them to be present at problematic locations to conduct observations and gather information for their respective media organisations,” the Council stated. “This is a fundamental right and a professional duty carried out by journalists in the public interest” the Council added.

The MMC, which operates as a government-supported oversight body for the Malaysian media industry, further argued that the circumstances surrounding the alleged “trespass” must be transparently explained. The Council noted that labelling investigative journalism as a criminal act sets a dangerous precedent.

The arrest has raised critical questions about journalists’ access to sites of public importance and the specific protocols they are expected to follow. The Council has called for Kalidas to be treated with the dignity befitting his profession and for his legal rights to be upheld without any external pressure or interference.

As the investigation continues, media advocacy groups across the nation are closely monitoring the case, calling for the immediate release of the journalist if no substantial evidence of criminal intent is found.

The arrest of Kalidas Subramaniam was also confirmed by Mr Pavalachelvan Marimuthu, a representative of the media organisation, Thinathanthi.

Allegations of trespassing

The alleged incident occurred on March 26, 2026, when Kalidas visited the Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah to investigate reports of large-scale illegal labour operations. Sources indicate that over 300 foreign nationals were allegedly working at the site without valid employment permits or proper documentation.

Kalidas was later reportedly summoned by the police to provide a statement at the Kulim District Police Headquarters. However, upon his arrival, he was officially arrested on trespassing charges. It is reported that several other individuals were also detained in connection with the same event.

The President of the Malaysian Tamil Journalists Association, Mr S. Muthamil Mannan, has expressed shock and dissatisfaction over the arrest. He characterised the police action as an “overreach” and a direct interference with a journalist’s professional responsibility to uncover issues of public interest.

“Kalidas was present at the site solely for news gathering and was carrying his official media accreditation,” Mr Mannan stated. “Gathering information at a problematic site is a fundamental duty of a journalist and should not be treated as a criminal act of trespassing.”

Mr Mannan has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Kalidas and announced plans to bring the matter to the attention of Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Various media advocacy groups, including *Gerakan Media Merdeka* (Geramm), have also joined the call for his release. The organisation emphasised that journalists must be protected when conducting field observations and investigative work, especially in areas involving suspected legal violations by employers.

The case has reignited the debate over media freedom and the protection of journalists in Malaysia, with many calling for a clear distinction between criminal intent and legitimate investigative journalism.