Sin Chew Daily senior reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was released by the police this afternoon and she is now safely in her house in Bukit Mertajam.

MCPX

It is learnt that she was released from the state police headquarters at about 2.30pm, and escortedback to her home by the police.

Previously it was stated that she was taken to federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur following her arrest last night.

Tan, 33, was arrested at 8.30pm last night under the Internal Security Act.

Her release after a 16-hour ISA detention was expected as Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar had earlier said that Tan may be released from the detention as early as today.

Speaking from Johor Baru this morning, Syed Hamid justified Tan's detention under the ISA with a rare reason that it was as part of the government's preventive measure ‘to ensure her safety'.

The minister claimed police intelligence have indicated that the journalist's life came under threat after she reported an Umno division leader's allegedly racist remarks.

"We have no intention of holding a reporter as after all she was just taking notes of the comments made by a certain party that led to a public debate.

"She maybe released as soon as today after police have obtained all information needed," Syed Hamid was quoted as saying by Star Online.

The minister added that Selangor senior state exco Teresa Kok's arrest was linked to her comment over the mosque and the morning prayers which had allegedly "created public disorder and problems".

Syed Hamid also stressed the government was "not making arrests just for the sake of arrests."

"We will not make any more arrests under ISA as long as there is no more disturbance to peace and public order," he argued.

No further police action?

He also asked all newspapers to cooperate with the government and not incite negative feelings or sentiments.

However the minister also did not rule out further arrests but said that further police action was "not expected".

Tan, 32, was detained in Bukit Mertajam last night as part of a nationwide ISA dragnet.

Her involvement was allegedly linked to her article which quoted Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail who sparked the ‘Chinese squatters' debacle.

Syed Hamid is also expected to hold a press conference later today at Bukit Aman.