PENANG: The sister-in-law of Sin Chew Daily's senior reporter Tan Hoon Cheng confirmed that she was brought away at 8.30 p.m. Friday, by ten individuals claiming to be police officers, from her home at Bukit Mertajam.

"The police told us that they were investigating her under the Internal Security Act. No arrest warrant was shown, but they told us they could take her away without any warrant."

According to Hoon Cheng's sister-in-law, only Hoon Cheng's parents, herself and her nephew were at home at that time.

"Only one female officer was in her uniform out of the ten police officers. They asked Hoon Cheng to open the door through the gate, but Hoon Cheng requested them to produce the arrest warrant."

"One of the officers claimed that they were form Bukit Aman, and said they wanted to bring Hoon Cheng away. Hong Cheng did not open the door, and told them she needed to make a few phone calls."

"Before taking her away, the female officer informed Hoon Cheng that the police were investigating one of her reports under Internal Security Act. She has also asked Hoon Cheng whether she wrote the article. After that, the female officer verified Hoon Cheng's IC and telephone number. The officers were also checking her room as well."

Before they whisked her away, the female officer assured of her personal safety, and if there was any development they would contact her family.

According to Sin Chew Daily northern region chief reporter Chua Ching Joo, Hoon Cheng made a few phone calls, eventually she managed to get him.

"Hoon Cheng sounded very upset, but she was professional in handling the situation, she did not even cry."

He said, "Hoon Cheng explained the whole process in a simple yet precise manner. She only said the police were taking her away. She did not mention where they were bringing her to."

It was understood that Hoon Cheng was brought to the police station at Bandar Perda Bukit Mertajam for questioning, She was later brought to the Penang police HQ at about 11.08 p.m. (Sin Chew Daily)