Outrage continues to mount following the assault on award-winning journalist Haresh Deol, with community leaders, safety advocates and a lawmaker urging the authorities to deliver swift justice and ensure such attacks never happen again.
Haresh, who has been reporting extensively on the alleged “doctored documents” involving seven foreign-born footballers, was attacked in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday afternoon by three men – one of whom recorded the assault on a mobile phone. Nothing was stolen, fuelling suspicion that the motive for the attack was not robbery.
Police have since confirmed the arrest of one suspect, who has been remanded for three days to assist in the investigation under Section 323 and Section 506 of the Penal Code.
Datuk George Joseph, president of the Bangsar Baru Residents’ Association and former Fifa referee, expressed shock that such an incident had taken place in what is considered one of Kuala Lumpur’s safest neighbourhoods.
“I have known Haresh for a long time – he is a good person. This sort of incident does not happen in our area. It is generally very safe for everyone,” he said.
Joseph noted the brazenness of the attack, which occurred close to a police beat base.
“It must have been a planned attack. I know there are about 15 CCTVs around Bangsar Baru, and I would assume there would be cameras nearby that captured what happened.”
Welcoming news of the arrest, he added: “Hopefully, he will reveal the truth. I wish Haresh a speedy recovery.”
Veteran social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, of the Alliance for a Safe Community, condemned the assault as a direct attack on press freedom.
“The attack on Haresh is tantamount to an attack on the media, which is an assault on the last bastion of democracy. Such violence is completely unacceptable in any democratic society.
“I hope the authorities get to the bottom of this, and leave no stone unturned.”
He stressed that journalists must be free to work without fear.
“We need a press that is free to report without fear or intimidation. If any report is libellous, there are legal avenues to address it. One should never resort to violence. It saddens me to see issues handled in this manner,” said Lee.
Calling for accountability, he urged the government to take a firm stance.
“The government must issue a strong statement condemning this attack and must monitor the case closely. There must be absolutely no cover-up. If incidents like this happen again, we will need to review our laws to prevent such acts from recurring.”
Former Klang Member of Parliament, Charles Santiago, wrote on X that an attack on a journalist is an attack on freedom of expression.
“When reporters are not safe, truth becomes negotiable and democracy weakens. Press freedom isn’t abstract. It’s the right of the public to know. Violence against journalists is a warning shot at every Malaysian who depends on facts over fear,” he wrote.
“We stand with @HareshDeol This attack, possibly linked to his FAM exposé, demands an urgent and independent investigation. Treat it as a threat to democratic space, not just a crime. Protect journalists, protect our future.”
The case was also raised in the Dewan Rakyat today, where Jelutong MP RSN Rayer pressed the government for answers on what he described as a worrying trend of unresolved high-profile investigations.
Rayer cited the disappearances of Pastor Raymond Koh, Ustaz Amri Che Mat, Joshua Hilmy and Ruth Sitepu, and Datin Sri Pamela Ling, who vanished en route to the MACC headquarters in April this year.
“As a Member of Parliament, I want to know the outcome of these cases. Will PDRM investigate them to completion? What exactly happened to these individuals?” he asked.
Rayer also demanded updates on the assault of national footballer Muhammad Faisal Abdul Halim, and the latest attack on Haresh.
Faisal suffered serious injuries after an unknown assailant splashed acid on him outside a shopping mall in Klang Valley in May 2024.
Haresh, the co-founder and editor of Twentytwo13, lodged a police report and underwent a medical examination after sustaining cuts to his elbows and bruising to his nose.
The motive for the assault remains unclear, but the Malaysian Media Council said the nature of the attack – including the actions of a third individual who recorded the incident – suggests that it was planned, rather than a random hit.
Meanwhile, Datuk Wira Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, acting president of the Football Association of Malaysia, issued a statement saying: “FAM strongly condemns any form of violence, intimidation, or threats against any individual, including journalists who play an important role in the nation’s sporting ecosystem.”
He added that FAM is calling on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and ensure that justice is upheld.
Main image: A CCTV still obtained by Twentytwo 13 shows two men allegedly assaulting Haresh opposite the Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Mosque in Bangsar Baru on Tuesday, while a third person records the incident.
