Clare Rewcastle-Brown claims Interpol rejected Malaysia's requests
By Muhammad Yusri Muzamir
KUALA LUMPUR: Clare Rewcastle-Brown alleges that the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has rejected two requests from the Royal Malaysia Police to issue a Red Notice against the Sarawak Report editor.
Speaking at the forum 'The Pursuit of Truth: An Insight Into Exposing Corruption' organised by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) last night, she said that the development was conveyed by British authorities.
However, Rewcastle-Brown did not specify when the two requests were submitted to Interpol.
"I have been informed. The British Foreign Office yesterday informed me that the UK National Crime Agency has investigated this matter.
"Interpol rejected the Red Notice request submitted to me by Malaysia," she said.
Interpol's Red Notice is an international legal request allowing police in any country to locate and arrest wanted individuals before extraditing them to the relevant country.
Last month, BBC reported that Malaysian police attempted twice to obtain an Interpol Red Notice against Clare regarding her coverage of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
The UK-based journalist also claimed to have received messages regarding enforcement actions against her from a senior Malaysian Cabinet member whose identity was not disclosed.
"I received a message from one of your senior ministers last night. He jokingly said: We can only arrest you if you are in Malaysia.
"I certainly felt somewhat relieved, but perhaps not for journalists in Malaysia who are trying to write, work, and face the government," she said.