PETALING JAYA: The men who assaulted journalists from The Star who were covering the Bersih 5.0 convoy on Saturday will be investigated for criminal intimidation.
Police will investigate the case under Section 506 of the Penal Code, according to Kuala Selangor OCPD Supt Ruslan Abdullah when contacted.
Under the provision, those found guilty of committing the offence face a maximum two-year prison term, or a fine, or both.
The journalists were harassed after witnessing about 30 anti-Bersih supporters on motorcycles intimidating the Bersih group outside a hypermarket in Kuala Selangor.
About five from the anti-Bersih group, some wearing red attire, started to harass two journalists and a videographer from The Star, and tried to stop them from recording and reporting the incident.
One of the journalists was harshly told to delete a video recording of the standoff that took place between supporters of both groups.
When she refused, they grabbed her by the collar of her t-shirt, pushed her, and shouted “delete, delete” at her.
They were also heard shouting: You dari mana? Malaysiakini! (Where are you from? Malaysiakini!).
She replied she was a reporter with The Star.
The Star’s other reporter was also subjected to the same harassment when he tried to defend his colleague from further harassment, as more shouts of "Malaysiakini" were heard.
The reporter was pulled aside by a member of the group and asked if he was a reporter from Malaysiakini.
He too told them that he was from The Star.
The Star’s videographer, surrounded by the group, was also forced to delete the visuals he had taken on his smartphone.
The group snatched the phone away from him and took a photo of his media tag.
Several policemen who arrived at the scene managed to control the situation.
The Star’s journalists later lodged a report at the Kuala Selangor police headquarters along with several members from Bersih 5.0.
Related stories:
The Star journos harassed by anti-Bersih group
Harassment of journos: Jamal says sorry if Red Shirts involved
Media watchdog slams anti-Bersih harassment of The Star journalists
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