SEREMBAN: Two suspects have been arrested for allegedly intimidating reporters covering campaigning at a restaurant in Seremban Jaya near here, says Deputy Comm Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof.
The state police chief said the duo were detained just before midnight on Friday at Taman Seremban Selatan.
“The public should give their cooperation to candidates contesting in the polls as well as media personnel covering their events to ensure the election process is a smooth one.
“Stern action will be taken against anyone disturbing the peace or creating public disorder,” he said in a statement.
DCP Ahmad Dzaffir said reporters from a portal were covering the event when two men believed to be drunk threatened and asked them to leave.
“One of the reporters was shoved and had a glass and beer bottle thrown at him.
“The suspects were arrested after a police report was lodged,” he said.
The case, he said, is being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to two years or a fine or both upon conviction.
Barisan Nasional candidate for the Rasah parliamentary seat Ng Kian Nam in a text message said he was distributing flyers from table to table at the restaurant with his team when the incident happened.
“After the incident, I accompanied the reporters to lodge a report at the district police station.
“We have also been called to the station later today to identify the suspects,” he said.
In his report, the victim claimed that he was covering the event with a colleague when a group of men who had been drinking asked them to leave.
He said the team, including the election workers, ignored the men who later told them to get out of the restaurant.
When he started recording the incident, one of the suspects pushed him and then a glass, bottle and footwear were thrown at the team.
The victim claimed that one of the suspects then chased him.