Dear Hoon Cheng,

12 September 2008, this is a day that we shall never forget.

Yesterday afternoon, we received a show cause letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs, why action should not be taken against our newspaper for carrying your report on remarks (made by an Umno leader likening the Chinese community to squatters). I called you immediately and told you not to feel guilty, as you were just reporting the truth which is something required of you as a professional reporter. You should just leave the rest to the company to answer..

When I got the news that you were arrested under the Internal Security Act, I was trapped in the traffic jam. My car just wouldn't get pass all those vehicles. There was nothing that I could do. This gave me time to reflect on your predicament..

When I finally got back to the office, I realised that everyone from the management and reporters have rushed back to the office upon receiving the news of your arrest. We gathered to discuss ways to get you out of this.

In the course of the meeting, I was reminded by our colleagues to be calm, but how could I be calmed? A young woman reporter like you has to not only perform your duties as a reporter, but also has to bear such a huge pressure all alone. Hoon Cheng, you really shouldn't be treated in such manner!

The meeting was constantly bombarded with incoming calls and instant text messages. Some called to ask for update on the situation, some called to express their concern and solidarity, while others called to inform us latest information on your arrest.

Hoon Cheng, you are not alone. I was informed that our colleagues in Penang gathered at the entrance of the police station. For us, who are here in our head office in Kuala Lumpur, we stilol working very hard to try to rescue you. News report on your arrest was all over the place, internet, television and even instant messages were forwarded. The focus of the whole nation was on you.

I have tried to call your family, but to no avail. I am sure that your parents must be really worried. Try to imagine, their daughter was taken away by police officers, the uncertainties of the situation and also what the future holds for them. I can imagine the state of shock they must have been in.

When the meeting ended, many of our colleagues refused to go home. They tried to stay on and diligently scrambling for more information, to get the real picture of the whole situation, thinking of how to get you out of such a horrible spot.

About two in the morning, some people started to leave the office. We must admit that, what had transpired has exhausted all of us.

But Hoon Cheng, still, we couldn't sleep. The instant text messages were coming in and being forwarded from colleague to colleague. The thought of you all alone, remanded in a freezing interrogation room, how could we close our eyes? I know that you are a tough spirited lady, and would not shed tears for this, but who would not be afraid of timeslike this? Sure you'd feel helpless? With so much anxiety, anger, helplessness, I just couldn't sleep.

Finally, at dawn, I gathered my thoughts and composure. As it was about noon already, I guess the Penang Police would have transferred you to the Bukit Aman Federal Police head office in Kuala Lumpur for further interrogation. So, together with some colleagues, we went there to wait for you.

When we arrived, a lot of friends from the media were already there. Aside from those on duty to cover the news, many others were there to express their concern.

But we did not get to see you. It was only later that we heard you would be released around 4.00 p.m. Of course, we were unaware by now that the Police had decided to make a U-turn to head back for Penang for your release.

Hoon Cheng, we have been fed with so much information and rumours that we have no idea where you were actually, but rest assured we will try our best to make sure that you are alright, and I firmly believe that you would be fine, as I believe that justice would always prevail.

I wish to represent all our colleagues, those at Sin Chew Daily and also Guang Ming Daily, to tell you this – no matter what happens, we will stand by you.

N.C. Siew (This letter was written on 13 Sept, one day after Hoon Cheng was arrested).