KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 ― A DAP federal lawmaker today lauded the government for not pursuing charges against the Australian newsmen who allegedly breached security lines to question Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, but said the duo should not have been arrested to begin with.

The lawmaker, Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto, pointed out that the prime minister is often seen taking “selfies” with members of the public during official visits.

“It is strange because the prime minister who diligently goes down to the ground for functions often greets his supporters or snaps selfies with them.

“But when these two Australian journalists tried to get close to the PM to ask questions about 1MDB, the local authorities suddenly saw this as an offence,” she told the Dewan Rakyat today, referring to state-owned firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The lawmaker said the Australian duo ― journalist Linton Besser and cameraman Louie Eroglu of the ABC News team ― should not have been arrested on Saturday for doing their jobs.

She said the action by the authorities gave the impression that they were trying to prevent the journalists from asking the same questions that lawmakers here and across the world have been asking.

“I welcome the government’s decision not the charge the two journalists. But such action is a form of harassment against media freedom,” Kasthuri said.

Last Saturday, Besser and Eroglu ― aged 39 and 51 ― were arrested in Kuching after they allegedly approached the prime minister in an “aggressive” manner in a bid to ask him questions about a local controversy.

They were accused of crossing a security line and failing to comply with police orders to remain behind said line, which both men denied.

 On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi denied the move was meant to prevent the duo from asking questions of the prime minister, but rather to ensure Najib’s security.

It was reported last night that the two newsmen would face charges today for obstructing a public servant but Sarawak police confirmed this morning that they would only be deported.

Both Besser and Eroglu have since left Malaysia on a 10.25am flight to Singapore.