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Media Statement
by Teresa Kok
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(Parliament,Tuesday): DAP Malaysia is shocked to learn that A New York Times correspondent, Judith Miller was jailed on Wednesday after she said she could not break her promise and reveal her confidential source to a grand jury investigating the leak of a covert CIA operative's name to the media.

We believe that this is the most darkening spot in the history of press freedom in a land which claimed to practice free and liberal journalism, and we strongly oppose and condemn the judgment delivered by Chief US District Judge Thomas Hogan who said “confinement at a jail in the Washington, D.C., area might convince her to change her mind and testify”.

The grand jury investigation by special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, a Justice Department prosecutor, seeks to determine who in the Bush administration leaked the name of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame in 2003
to the media and whether any laws were violated. Plame's name was leaked, her diplomat husband said, because of his criticism of the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war.

Miller in the hearing was firm that she would not testify. "I do not make confidential pledges lightly, but when I do I must honor them. If I do not, how can I expect people to accept my assurances," she said.

DAP commended the highly professional and ethical journalism that Judith Miller practices in this case and we urge fellow journalists in Malaysia to join ranks to show support, solidarity and sympathy to Judith Miller.

(12/7/2005)

* Teresa Kok Suh Sim, Member of Parliament For Seputeh and DAP National Publicity Secretary