Attackers to media in Malaysia to be revealed

KUALA LUMPUR -Police will release the photographs of individuals allegedly involved in a scuffle with media personnel at the Anti-Goods and Services Tax (GST) rally last Thursday.

City Police Chief Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh said the pressmen who were assaulted had already lodged police reports at the Dang Wangi police station on the same day.

"The case will be investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting. No arrests have been made yet. The photographs were obtained from our own cameramen and from various media" he said at a handing over of duty ceremony to former Sarawak deputy police commissioner Datuk Law Hong Soon who has assumed the duty of Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief.

Law succeeds Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh, who is now Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department deputy director.

When elaborating on the roughed up pressmen, Mohmad urged those with evidence of the scuffle to come forward and inform the police immediately.

"We have reviewed the video footages and photographs and will release a few pictures of those involved to facilitate investigations," said Mohmad.

In the incident, three photographers were attacked in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad building near Dataran Merdeka by a group of masked protesters, dressed in black. Two of the photographers were beaten and kicked while the third was struck by a piece of hurled wood.

Meanwhile, Amar said it had been an honour to serve for the past two years and nine months at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent. "I could not have achieved the successes without cooperation of the various police departments here. We worked wonderfully together and I am glad to say I had been well supported by my colleagues."

He urged the various departments and public to continue giving their support to Law. He added that he would do his best to work closely with the various departments of the city police, as well as with the media.

"To hold the post of deputy police chief in Kuala Lumpur is a big challenge but I will use all my experience to ensure a smooth operation," said Law, pledging to assist Mohmad to reduce crime in the city.

On another matter, Mohmad announced that a new 13-storey administration building costing RM30 million at the city police headquarters had been recently completed.