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Malaysian journalist Kalidas Subramaniam detained after reporting on alleged illegal migrant workers

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Malaysian journalist Kalidas Subramaniam detained after reporting on alleged illegal migrant workers

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Jakarta, April 1, 2026—Malaysian authorities in the northwestern state of Kedah should drop the trespass charge pending against journalist Kalidas Subramaniam and stop weaponizing criminal laws to silence legitimate journalism, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.

Kalidas, a reporter with Tamil-language news site Thinathanti, was detained by Kulim district police about midday on March 30 and held for more than 24 hours before being released on bail, according to the outlet’s editor-in-chief, Pavalaselvan Marimuthu, and a police report reviewed by CPJ.

Police summoned Kalidas for questioning after he entered Kulim Hi-Tech Park without permission around 3 p.m. on March 26 to report on allegations that about 300 undocumented migrants were working at a refinery construction site, according to multiple news reports.

Police are investigating the journalist under Section 447 of the Penal Code for criminal trespass. If convicted, he faces up to six months in prison or a fine of 3,000 Malaysian ringgit (US$741).

“Investigating Kalidas Subramaniam for criminal trespass is disproportionate and a blatant misuse of criminal law to restrict journalists working in the public interest,” said CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator Kunal Majumder. “On-the-ground reporting is not a crime and Malaysian authorities should immediately halt the investigation against Kalidas.”

Kalidas was detained along with 10 members of a nongovernmental organization, who were also charged with trespass after ignoring warnings from two security guards that they did not have permission to enter the industrial park, said Kedah Police Chief Adzli Abu Shah.

Pavalaselvan said Kalidas was granted one-month bail while police continue to investigate the case.

Kulim district police did not immediately reply to CPJ’s emailed request for comment.

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