Malaysia
Political party members allegedly assault photogsPosted Apr 20 2007
When a scuffle broke out between supporters of different political parties outside the nomination center in Machap, Melaka on April 3, photographers P. Malayandi of Makkal Osai and R. Malini of Malayan Nanban claim they were verbally and physically assaulted by members of the Malaysian Indian Congress, a component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. The photographers say they were warned by MIC members not to publish pictures of the people involved in the altercation and that Malayandi was punched and shoved by parliamentary secretary for Youth and Sports Ministry S.A. Vigneswaran when he tried to enter the building, according to the Centre for Independent Journalism Malaysia. Police reports were filed and Vigneswaran denied the allegations.