(SEAPA/IFEX) – A journalist working with Malaysia’s Chinese-language online publication, MerdekaReview.com, was assaulted by police while he was covering a peaceful demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on 28 May 2006. Lim Hong Siang was kicked by a policeman before identifying himself as a journalist, according to Malaysia’s independent media advocacy group, the Centre for Independent Journalism […]
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A journalist working with Malaysia’s Chinese-language online publication, MerdekaReview.com, was assaulted by police while he was covering a peaceful demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on 28 May 2006.
Lim Hong Siang was kicked by a policeman before identifying himself as a journalist, according to Malaysia’s independent media advocacy group, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ). The policeman then threatened to destroy his camera and kicked Lim again to prevent him from taking further photographs and to force him to leave the scene.
“This is an open assault to media freedom and freedom of expression.”
“Attacking journalists not only endangers them personally, it also prevents accurate reporting of events, which has an impact upon the public’s right to know,” CIJ said in a statement issued on 2 June 2006
Lim was among victims of police brutality used to suppress the public demonstration against recent increases in the fuel price and electricity tariffs. During the 28 May demonstration, which was held at the headquarters of Malaysia’s national petroleum company, the Petronas Twin Towers, 20 people were arrested and at least two were seriously injured by police actions, according to local reports.
Police Inspector General Tan Sri Bakri Omar was reported to have said that the police used minimum force for self-defence. No further comment was available.
Protesters subsequently filed a complaint of police brutality with the Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM), which said it would discuss the complaint on 12 June and make an official statement.
