KUALA LUMPUR – News portal Malaysiakini has announced the suspension of journalist B Nantha Kumar with full benefits, pending an independent inquiry into bribery allegations against him.
The decision comes following his recent release on bail after being detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for four days.
Malaysiakini’s editorial board previously said that the inquiry aims to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and determine whether they were an attempt to silence Nantha Kumar, known for his investigative reporting on migrant worker syndicates.
It said today that it has set up an independent panel of experts to ensure a fair process and that the findings of the inquiry will be made public, subject to legal guidance.
“Malaysiakini recognises that since joining the news portal in 2018, Nantha has been an outstanding journalist, producing numerous exclusives that have made headlines. His fearless reporting on syndicates linked to migrant workers has been instrumental in exposing critical issues,” it said in the footnote of an article titled ‘Bribe allegation: This is my story’, written by Nantha Kumar.
“Malaysiakini remains steadfast in its commitment to journalistic integrity, transparency, and ethical reporting – principles that have guided us since our founding. We believe in accountability, fairness, and the relentless pursuit of truth.”
“Pending the independent panel’s findings, Malaysiakini has suspended Nantha with full benefits. Our inquiry will be thorough, just, and firmly aligned with the values we uphold.”
In the article published today, Nantha Kumar denied any wrongdoing, stating unequivocally that he did not solicit or accept a bribe. He asserted that he was in the process of exposing a wider network of corruption when he was arrested.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that I did not solicit a bribe. For the record, I neither requested RM100,000 nor negotiated the amount to settle for RM20,000,” he said in his account of the events leading up to his arrest.
Nantha Kumar was arrested by MACC officers at a hotel in Shah Alam at 11.45pm on February 28 in what the agency described as a “sting” operation.
According to the MACC, a migrant worker agent had alleged that the journalist solicited a bribe in exchange for not publishing an article on the illegal entry of foreign workers. The operation led to Nantha Kumar’s arrest while allegedly in possession of RM20,000.
Initially, it was believed his arrest was linked to a report he published on February 22, which alleged that a retired immigration officer was facilitating syndicates bringing in Pakistani migrant workers.
However, MACC later clarified that the journalist was arrested specifically for receiving a bribe, an offence under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009.
Nantha Kumar maintains that he was investigating a “Fly” syndicate at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), which reportedly falsifies immigration exit and entry stamps for foreign workers.
His reports had implicated various individuals, including Pakistani agents, and had drawn the attention of senior government officials.
He explained that he had agreed to meet the agents again as part of efforts to gather stronger evidence but insisted he never sought personal gain.
He also said that the meeting took place in a public hotel with extensive CCTV surveillance, arguing that this would be an unlikely venue if he had intended to accept a bribe.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said on March 3 that the corruption probe extends beyond the journalist, encompassing syndicates and cartels allegedly involved in smuggling migrant workers.
Nantha Kumar was released from the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at approximately 3pm on March 4, with Malaysiakini executive editor RK Anand posting RM10,000 bail on his behalf. He was reported to be in good condition following his release. – March 7, 2025