Sunday September 14, 2008
Emotional return for Tan
BUKIT MERTAJAM: Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng returned to her relative’s house in Taman Alma near here after a day in detention under the Internal Security Act and almost broke down in tears as she was warmly hugged by anxious family members and friends.
The 33-year-old, however, quickly regained her composure and spoke to her family members for 20 minutes before heading to stay at a friend’s house for the night.
Clad in a pale orange T-shirt and jeans, Hoon Cheng was dropped off at her home by four police officers including a policewoman in a four-wheel drive vehicle at 4pm yesterday.
JOYOUS HUG: Hoon Cheng being hugged by her grandmother Kim Tien, 95, at their relative’s home in Taman Alma iin Bukit Mertajam Saturday. Looking on are Hoon Cheng’s cousin Tan Seok Chin (right) and a relative, Ghoh Kim Hong. Hoon Cheng, who stayed overnight at the state police headquarters lock-up in Penang Road, said it was an unforgettable experience for her.
She said she could not sleep well throughout the night.
“But I was neither shaken nor disturbed because my conscience is clear as I have done nothing wrong,” she said.
The award-winning reporter said she stood by her news report. “I merely reported what I heard.”
Despite the nerve-racking experience, Tan said she was eager to return to work.
“This incident will not deter me from carrying out my duty as a journalist,” she said.
She said the police treated her well during her detention.
Her brother Weng Tong, 37, said Hoon Cheng told him she was taken to the Perak police headquarters in Ipoh instead of Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur as initially thought.
“The police drove her from the Penang police headquarters to Ipoh at about 8.30am and returned at about 2.30pm.
“Due to slight traffic congestion on the Penang Bridge, they reached our home in Bukit Mertajam at about 4pm,” he said.
“My sister is a tough and independent girl although she is the youngest and the only girl among three siblings,” he said.
Weng Tong said Hoon Cheng wanted to go back to work immediately, but was advised by colleagues to take it easy for a few days.
Their mother Khor Ah Heok, 59, said she felt relieved only when Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng called her at about noon to inform her that Hoon Cheng could be released by the evening.
“I could only sigh in relief when I saw her at our front gate. My worst fears were over,” she said.
Hoon Cheng’s other brother Weng Khian, 35, a sales executive, grandmother Kim Tien, 95, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces were also at the house to welcome her back.
Her father Boon Siam, 65, was away at work when she got home. Weng Tong said the family was touched by the support given by Malaysians of all races.
Related stories:
Sin Chew reporter goes home a day after ISA arrest
Journalist groups decry arrest of Sin Chew reporter
Reporter’s life was threatened
Explain arrests, cops told
Opposition slams ‘ridiculous’ reason for using ISA
Group: Charge them in court, don’t use ISA
Zahid: Blame the detainees
Stop playing the race card, Pakatan Rakyat tells Umno
MCA: Don’t use ISA on newsmen
Act cannot be used to ‘protect’ detainee, says Liow
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