KUALA LUMPUR – Police have arrested a man in connection with the assault on sports journalist and Deputy President of the National Press Club (NPC), Haresh Deol, in Bangsar yesterday.
Brickfields District Police Chief, Hoo Chang Hook, confirmed that the 37-year-old suspect was apprehended by the Brickfields Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at around 2am this morning.
“A three-day remand order for the suspect was granted by the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate Court, lasting until November 28,” he said.
“We are classifying this case under criminal intimidation and intentional injury under Sections 506 and 323 of the Penal Code.”
Section 323 carries a penalty of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both. Meanwhile, Section 506 provides for a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both,” he added.
Yesterday, Haresh, who is also a co-founder of TwentyTwo13 news outlet, reported that he had been attacked while heading to his car, with another individual filming the incident using a mobile phone.
In a post on social media platform X, Haresh confirmed that he had filed a police report regarding the assault.
Following the report, police launched an investigation to identify three men believed to be involved in the incident, which took place on Jalan Maarof near a shopping mall car park, while Haresh was walking along the sidewalk towards Jalan Telawi.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from NPC, Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm), and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), all of which expressed that any form of aggression or attempts to obstruct journalists’ professional duties were completely unacceptable.
Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, in a statement last night, urged for a swift investigation into the matter, emphasising that the safety of media practitioners must not be compromised in any situation.
Meanwhile, NPC President, Datuk Ahirudin Attan, also known as Rocky Bru, strongly condemned the attack on Haresh, calling it an act of “cowardice and rudeness.”
“The attack on Haresh is cowardly and rude,” said Ahirudin, who is also the executive director of Big Boom Media, the publisher of Scoop.
Geramm has also called for a thorough and transparent investigation by the police, urging them to identify the motive behind the attack and the individuals involved, and to take firm action against the perpetrators.
“Physical assault on a journalist not only threatens the safety of the individual but also undermines the public’s right to receive accurate and pressure-free information,” it stated.
FAM Acting President, Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, condemned the attack, stating that it did not reflect the sportsmanship and integrity values upheld by the governing body.
“FAM hopes that the authorities will conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify the responsible parties and ensure justice is served,” he said.
“At the same time, FAM will continue to work closely with media practitioners to ensure a safe, professional, and mutually respectful environment between all parties involved in the country’s sports industry,” he added. – November 26, 2025