The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) has faxed a letter to the police force enquiring the progress of previous cases of attack on photographers. This is in response to the Cabinet taking up the issue since the incident of Mohamad Sairien Mohamad Nafiz from New Straits Times Press (NSTP) and French national Halim Berbar from the HBL Press Agency. CIJ would like to see the police act fairly for all cases and ensure the safety of media proffesionals by expediting investigations on all current and future cases. The letter is also cc to the Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister and is included in the following.

Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Inspector General Police (IGP)
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur

22 August 2008

Dear Tan Sri Musa,

Re: Assault on media profesionals

We are writing in response to the investigation on the assault on two photographers, Mohamad Sairien Mohamad Nafiz from New Straits Times Press (NSTP) and French national Halim Berbar from the HBL Press Agency by alleged supporters of the People's Justice Party (PKR) during the nomination for the by-election in Permatang Pauh on 16 August. It is commendable that police have acted swiftly in identifying and arresting the suspects, but we wish to highlight the fact that assault on media professionals has been on-going and in the recent two years, a rising trend.

As a civil society organization, we at the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) are concerned that there have not been conclusions to cases of attack on photographers and journalists since 2007. We would like inquire about the progress of the investigations into the previous cases, whose victims have lodged police reports as well. Among the cases are;

• 11 June 2008 - Chen Shi Chuan, a Sin Chew Daily reporter based in Sitiawan, Perak, was attacked by nearly thirty people while covering a fatal road accident.
• 27 May 2008 - Merdekareview journalist Chow Z Lam, and Utusan Malaysia photographer Roy Azis Abdul Aziz were attacked by a group of 20-30 people armed with clubs, parangs, and helmets, allegedly connected to the highway concessionaire Grand Saga. They were covering the residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras tearing down the concrete barricade erected by Grand Saga to block the exit to the toll-less bypass.
• 22 November 2007 - 15 journalists in Kedah lodged police reports against an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) who, using abusive words, barred them from covering a murder scene and ordered the use of dogs to chase them away.
• 16 November 2007 - an UMNO member punched photographer Koh Chun Seng who was on duty covering DAP politician Tan Kok Wai in Kuala Lumpur
• 13 November 2007 - Malaysian Nanban journalist M. Nagarajan received death threats for writing critically about the state of Tamil schools
• 2 November 2007 - Nagarajan's colleague R. Raman, a photojournalist was targeted for attacks in Johor, believed to be over his articles. He was hospitalised in a state of coma for about a month.
• April 3 2007 - journalist R. Malini from a Tamil daily Malaysian Nanban, was hurled vulgarities by the members from the ruling party MIC. Photographer P. Malayandi from Makkal Osai was allegedly pushed and punched by former MIC official, SA Vigneswaran, while covering the nominations for the Machap by-election.

The last two cases drew international attention as threats against journalists is recognised as a serious crime and an affront on press freedom.

We hope the police would expedite the investigations in these cases and act fairly in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice. This is important to ensure that the safety of media professional in doing their duties,


Yours faithfully

Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director
Centre for Independent Journalism

Copy to Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Johor CPO Datuk Mohd Mohktar Mohd Shariff, Kedah CPO Datuk Haji Syed Ismail bin Datuk Haji Syed Azizan, Baling OCPD Mat Daud Mat Hassan, and Perak CPO Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah.