PENANG: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has called on the government and police to free Sin Chew Daily news reporter Tan Hoon Cheng and DAP member of parliament for Seputeh, Teresa Kok, who were arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) Friday night (12 Sept).

He said the arrest showed that the government seemed to be desperate, particularly as 16 Sept was nearing.

The reporter was only doing her duty and should not be blamed, he told reporters at the Penang police contingent headquarters last night.

Meanwhile, Lim, who is DAP secretary-general said the party would discuss the matter at a meeting Saturday (13 Sept) in Kuala Lumpur.

Some 100 leaders and supporters of political parties, including from MCA, Gerakan and DAP gathered outside the police headquarters and lighted up candles as a sign of protest over the reporter's arrest.

They gathered there since 9.30am upon hearing the news of Tan's arrest at 8.30pm.

The situation was under control with Federal Reserve Unit personnel seen inside the compound to control the situation.

The two were among three people arrested under the ISA Friday.

Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin was earlier picked up in his house in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, following the posting of articles in his Malaysia Today blog which the police found to be a threat to national security. (Bernama)