KUALA LUMPUR: National Press Club (NPC) president Datuk Ahirudin Attan has strongly condemned the attack on veteran sports journalist Haresh Deol, calling it “cowardly and feudal”.
Haresh, the co-founder of Kuala Lumpur-based news organisation Twentytwo13, also serves as NPC deputy president.
“The attack on Haresh is cowardly and feudal,” Ahirudin, also known as Rocky Bru, said.
“The NPC calls on the police to investigate without fear or favour. There must not be another NFA (no further action) like the acid attack on the footballer.
“Come down hard on whoever is behind these barbaric attacks before someone gets killed,” he said in a statement.
Ahirudin added that he was calling on journalist and media groups, led by the Malaysian Media Council (MMC), to issue a united call to the Madani government to ensure the safety of journalists and media practitioners, and uphold their freedom to report without fear or favour.
“If this attack is an attempt to scare off journalists, it must be dealt with seriously.
“The media is an institution like the police force and the royalty. We need to safeguard it at all costs.
“I urge the police to take this case without fear.
“We need to get to the bottom of this incident. It is not just about one person, but about the media institution.”
Last night, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said he hoped that investigations into the incident could begin immediately.
Fahmi said the safety of media practitioners, especially when carrying out their duties, cannot be compromised under any circumstances.
“I was informed about this incident while attending a programme in Kota Kinabalu. I contacted Haresh’s brother to get more information about the incident that occurred this afternoon.
“Haresh informed me that he had just finished filing a police report and is currently completing the medical report,” Fahmi said in a post on Facebook.
Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) also condemned the attack, describing it as a violent act intended to intimidate a journalist while performing professional duties.
The group said such behaviour was uncivilised and contrary to the principles of media freedom guaranteed in a democratic system.
Twentytwo13’s managing editor, Pearl Lee, who was with Haresh when he was attacked, said that the incident “is a first in his 25 year career as a journalist.”
“The co-founder and editor of Twentytwo13news, my colleague and partner HareshDeol, was attacked this afternoon in Bangsar, KL. This is a first in his 25 year career as a journalist.
“May there be justice!!!” she said in a post on X.
Yesterday, the media fraternity was shocked by news of the assault on Haresh, who was attacked by two men in Bangsar in the afternoon.
Haresh, who shared the incident on social media, said he was assaulted by two people while another person filmed it.
“I have just lodged a police report,” Haresh, 43, posted on X yesterday.
Brickfields district police chief Assistant Commissioner Hoo Chang Hook said the police are tracking down the three men believed to be involved in the attack, which occurred on Jalan Maarof near a shopping mall parking lot, when Haresh was walking on the sidewalk towards Jalan Telawi.
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