Two Australian journalists to be deported immediately

According to a statement from the Sarawak CID chief, SAC Dev Kumar, the investigation papers on the duo have been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor yesterday.

The police subsequently received instructions from the DPP that no charges will be filed against the two.

However, reporter Eroglu Levent and camera operator Linton Joshua Besser from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), would be deported immediately from the country in pursuant with Section 18 (3)(h) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

The duo were detained by local police last Saturday when they tried to approach Najib during his walkabout at Masjid Darul Ehsan Kampung Haji Baki in Kuching, Sarawak.

It was reported that they had wanted to question Najib on corruption allegations.

The were released on police bail the next morning after their statements were recorded.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had initially said the police would discuss with the Attorney General's Chambers to charge the duo for 'obstructing a public servant from obstructing his duty'.

But ABC's director of news, Gaven Morris, reportedly said the journalists did not "obstruct or intend to obstruct any public servants in performance of their duties".

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop yesterday also expressed her concern over the duo's detention by Malaysia, depicting the situation as a "crackdown on freedom of speech".