BUKIT MERTAJAM: Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng (pic), who was released after being detained for 17 hours under the Internal Security Act (ISA), is well-known for asking sharp and direct questions during press conferences.
Her best friend Cheong Yin Fan, 30, said Tan was often the envy of fellow Chinese press reporters for being among the bolder ones when posing questions during interviews.
“Sometimes, she would stay up till midnight in the office checking on the Internet and preparing questions to ask at functions.
Tan, 33, was released on Saturday after being detained over her report on former Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s alleged racist remarks during the Permatang Pauh by-election.
Cheong, now Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s press secretary, said she and Tan were colleagues from June 2006 till March this year.
She said Tan was also very careful with details, noting that she often referred to an on-line dictionary whenever she was unsure of the Mandarin translation of a particular English or Malay word.
Due to Tan’s fluency in English and Malay, Cheong said many Chinese reporters would ask her to give them an “unofficial press conference” after the official one had concluded to better understand issues raised earlier.
Last year, Tan beat more than 1,000 Sin Chew employees nationwide to win an excellence service award for the editorial department that came with a trip to China and a cash prize.
Cheong said since Saturday, the Sin Chew office in Penang had been deluged with bouquets, soft toys and cards from friends, political parties and the public who wanted to express their support for Tan.
Sin Chew Penang, Kedah and Perlis chief reporter Fong Kah Khee said Tan was on a week’s leave from work.
Tan’s father Tan Booi Siam, 65, when met at his house in Taman Alma, Bukit Mertajam, yesterday said Tan did not want to make a fuss about her detention.
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