Sports Journalist Attacked In Bangsar It Could Be Because Of What I Wrote

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Veteran sports journalist Haresh Deol, who was assaulted in broad daylight in Bangsar today, says he is still unsure whether the attack was linked to his reporting. – NSTP picKUALA LUMPUR: Veteran sports journalist Haresh Deol, who was assaulted in broad daylight in Bangsar today, said he was still unsure whether the attack was linked to his reporting.
"I would love to sit down and have a chat with them (the assailants). It could be a case of mistaken identity, which would be unfair to me, or perhaps they were simply unhappy with what I've been saying or writing," he told reporters at Brickfields police headquarters today.
Haresh, co-founder of Kuala Lumpur-based news organisation Twentytwo13, was accompanied by the organisation's managing editor, Pearl Lee.
He described the incident, saying he had just finished a lunch appointment and was walking to his car when two men dressed in black approached him.
"They came quite close to me. I ran, simply because it would have been foolish to confront both of them," Haresh said.
He fled towards a walkway next to Bangsar Village 3 but fell, possibly after bumping into someone.
"When that happened, the two individuals attacked me. They kicked me and then left," he added.
Haresh managed to photograph the assailants and briefly pursued one of them before both escaped on a motorcycle.
He said the police were still investigating and that the attackers likely used false number plates, which he could not clearly identify.
He lodged a report immediately after the incident at a nearby police beat base, which referred him to the district police headquarters.
Haresh expressed gratitude for the support he had received online.
"I'm very thankful for the hundreds of phone calls and messages on social media… it really means a lot. This is part and parcel of life," he said, adding that he hoped bystanders might have been able to assist, but the incident happened too quickly for him to know.
Haresh, who was seen with a bruised nose, reported minor chest pains but remained in good spirits.
Earlier today, the National Press Club deputy president posted on the social media platform X that he was attacked by two men in Bangsar, while another person recorded a video of the assault.
Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) has since strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a violent act intended to intimidate a journalist in the course of their professional duties.
The group said such behaviour was uncivilised and contrary to the principles of media freedom guaranteed in a democratic system. - NST

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