KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has raised concerns over the RM2,000 fine imposed on the individual convicted of assaulting journalist Haresh Deol, questioning whether the sentence adequately reflects the seriousness of the offence or serves as an effective deterrent against future attacks on media professionals.
MMC secretary Radzi Razak acknowledged the council’s respect for the judiciary’s independence but emphasised that the penalty raises significant questions about accountability and the broader context of the attack.
“The MMC is concerned that the fine imposed does not seem proportionate to the severity of an attack on a journalist performing his professional duties,” Radzi told Scoop.
He added that such a minimal fine alone is unlikely to achieve the intended deterrent effect, and noted that the sentence fails to send a strong enough message against violence directed at journalists.
Radzi also questioned whether the full gravity of the offence had been acknowledged, particularly since the law provides for a custodial sentence of up to one year, which was not applied in this case.
“The sentence risks sending the wrong signal — that violence or intimidation against journalists may be treated as a minor offence,” he stated.
He warned that this decision could contribute to a chilling effect on journalists, making them feel exposed, unsupported, and discouraged from tackling sensitive stories that the public has a right to know.
“Journalists must be able to work without fear, and any perception that attacks on them are trivialised undermines confidence in their safety,” Radzi added.
Radzi further underscored that attacks on journalists are not just assaults on individuals, but represent threats to the public’s right to information. He called for greater seriousness in how such cases are addressed within the justice system.
He pointed out the unresolved issues in the case, noting that only one individual was charged despite reports suggesting another person was present at the scene. Additionally, the motivation behind the attack remains unclear.
“These gaps leave important questions unanswered and contribute to public unease about whether the full truth has been established,” Radzi said.
“The MMC believes this case demonstrates the need to review whether current legal frameworks and prosecutorial approaches adequately reflect the risks journalists face and the importance of their role in a democratic society,” he added.
Radzi called for greater transparency in future cases, clearer accountability, and a firm commitment to ensure that harassment, intimidation, or violence against journalists will not be tolerated.
Haresh was assaulted in November 2025 while carrying out his professional duties, leading to the prosecution of R. Krishnan. He was sentenced under Section 323 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, which provides for a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) have voiced similar concerns following the court’s decision.
While both organisations acknowledged the conclusion of the case, they questioned several aspects of the investigation, particularly the accountability and broader circumstances surrounding the incident.
“First, it remains unclear why only one individual was charged, despite reports indicating the presence of another person on the motorcycle at the time of the assault,” GERAMM and NUJM said in a joint statement.
They emphasised that the lack of clarity on this issue raised doubts about the completeness of the investigation and whether full accountability had been achieved.
Both groups also criticised the lack of insight into the motive behind the attack. “The circumstances surrounding the assault appear to have been treated in an overly simplistic manner, without a thorough public accounting of the underlying intent,” the statement read.
Furthermore, the media organisations highlighted that acts of violence against journalists should not be viewed in isolation from their professional roles. They urged a comprehensive examination of any potential link between the assault and Deol’s journalistic work.
Both Geramm and NUJM strongly condemned all forms of harassment, intimidation, and violence against journalists, asserting that media professionals must be able to perform their duties free from threats. “A safe and enabling environment for journalists is fundamental to press freedom and democratic accountability,” they said. – January 23, 2026