We find FMT’s report on Cynthia Gabriel and Jerald Joseph really shameful and irresponsible. The original FMT report does not name them. But now, another account, evidently based on the report, has named them and is making baseless accusations. It looks like some people are out to get the couple and even depict NGOs as irresponsible.
Both Cynthia and Jerald were exposed to the virus. They told their colleagues, friends and family right from the beginning. They rightly reported to the authorities and were quarantined; and now they have fully recovered and have been discharged.
They hid nothing and were under no obligation to hold a press conference.
The anonymous NGO leader quoted by FMT violated both Cynthia and Jerald’s right to privacy. FMT failed to meet basic ethical journalistic standards by not immediately contacting the persons being reported for an accurate account and respecting their right to reply.
We urge FMT editor Abdar Rahman Koya and journalist Faiz Zainudin to retract the report and apologize to Cynthia and Jerald for the distress caused.
Signed and Endorsed by CSO leaders
- Adrian Pereira, North South Initiative
- Andrew Aeria, CIVICA Research
- Andrew Khoo
- Asha Singh, Health Equity Initiatives
- Azrul Mohd Khalib, Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy
- Badlishah Sham Baharin, Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia
- 7 Benjamin Thompson, MyPJ
- Bina Ramanand FSSG
- Chong Yee Shan
- Cletus de Rozario, Community Action Network
- Dorathy Benjamin, EMPOWER Malaysia
- Dr. Sharuna Verghis, Health Equity Initiatives
- Eugene Yapp, GBM Coalition
- Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism
- Faribel Maglin, Pusat KOMAS
- G.S.Nijar
- Glorene A Das, TENAGANITA
- Henry Koh, Beyond Borders Malaysia
- Ho Yock Lin
- Isaac Stephen Anthonysamy, Community Action Network
- Ivy Josiah
- Jeffrey FK Phang, MyPJ
- Katrina Jorene Maliamauv
- Lim Chee Han, Agora Society
- Kevin De Rozario, Community Action Network
- Mahi Ramakrishnan, Beyond Borders Malaysia
- Meera Samanther, Women’s Aid Organisation
- Michael Jok, SCRIPS
- Muhammad SHA’ANI bin Abdullah
- Nathaniel Tan, POWR
- Ng Geok Chee KLSCAH Women Division
- Nisha Sabanayagam, AWAM
- Noor Farida Ariffin, G25
- PH Wong, Childline
- Rizal Rozhan
- Robyn Choi
- Sabrina Melissa Aripen, SERATA
- Sevan Doraisamy, SUARAM
- Sha Kok Tein
- Shanthi Dairiam, Women’s Aid Organisation
- Sudhagaran Stanley
- Suguna Papachan, Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
- Tan Yew Sing, Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia
- Terence Gomez, Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism
- Thomas Fann, Bersih 2.0
- Thomas Jalong, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia
- Tijah Yok Chopil, Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia
- Wan Shakila, Borneo Komrad
- Winnie Yee, Sabah Women’s Action Group
- Wong Chin Huat, ENGAGE
- Yap Swee Seng, Bersih 2.0
- Yu Ren Chung, Women’s Aid Organisation
- Zaharom Nain, GERAK