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BUKIT MERTAJAM: Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was arrested last night under the Internal Security Act over her report on alleged racist remarks by Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

The 33-year-old was picked up by police at her home here at 8.30pm and taken to the state police headquarters.

The police team was sent from Federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.

Tan will be held under section 73(1) of the ISA which allows police to detain her for up to 60 days.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Tan's arrest was to allow police to "probe deeper into the whole issue.

"Her report has caused problems and disunity among the people.

" It is also a preventive measure so that there are no conflicts arising from the report."

At press time, Sin Chew Daily editor-in-chief Pook Ah Lek was heading an emergency meeting and was unavailable for comment.

It is understood that senior editors of the paper had met earlier yesterday with MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting to seek assistance over the issue.

Tan's report, in which she quoted Ahmad as describing the Chinese community as squatters, landed the then Bukit Bendera Umno division chief in trouble.

Ahmad was alleged to have made the remark at a ceramah in the run-up to the Permatang Pauh by-election.

The uproar which followed the report led to many calls for Ahmad to be sanctioned and an apology from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Many quarters, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, urged Ahmad to apologise.

However, Ahmad refused to do so, stating that his statement had been taken out of context.

He was eventually stripped of all posts and rights within Umno for three years.

- nst

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