Inspector-general of police Ismail Omar apologised today to Malay Mail cameraman, Muhammad Arif Kartono, who claimed he was roughed up by police while covering the assembly at Dataran Merdeka, last Saturday.
“The police apologises for the incident. In the chaos of the situation we could not tell the difference between the assembly participants and media,” he said to Muhammad Arif, 23, at Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur today.
Ismail saw for himself the injuries sustained by Muhammad Arif on his face, which was still bruised.
Muhammad Arif, attired in jeans and a checked shirt, exchanged friendly greetings with Ismail before posing for photographs together.
Last Saturday, Muhammad Arif was hurt on his face and body after being allegedly roughed up by police while he was covering the opposition supported non-governmental organisation assembly at Dataran Merdeka.
Police managed to curb the stubborn participants who refused to obey a magistrate’s court’s restraining order against entering the Dataran Merdeka area from April 28 to May 1.
The order was obtained after Kuala Lumpur City Hall offered an alternative location for the assembly saying the spot was meant for only national level official events.
Apart from Muhammad Arif, AlHijrah TV cameraman Mohd Azri Mohd Salleh was also injured and received 15 stitches on his head after allegedly being assaulted by a participant on that day.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh suggested for media personnel to wear a vest marked ‘media’ to prevent such untoward incidents.
“I feel that is the best way (wearing a ‘media’ vest) for the time being, as police would be able to spot the media,” he said.
- Bernama
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