Monday 30 April 2012

IGP: Hishammuddin wrong, seizing reporters' cameras not police SOP



Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar has clarified that confiscating memory cards and cameras belonging to journalists is not part of the police standard operating procedure (SOP).

This contradicts Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s claim that the seizure of journalists’ equipment while covering Saturday’s Bersih 3.0 rally was part of police SOP.
NONE"There is no such thing. We act in accordance with the law," Ismail replied curtly when pressed on the matter at a press conference at the police headquarters at Bukit Aman.

Yesterday, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that the camera and memory cards belonging to journalists were seized as part of the SOP.

Hishammuddin was cornered on the harsh action by the police on journalists covering the rally and whether it was to "black out" claims of police brutality at the scene.

Although he urged the people not to speculate on the severity of the claims, Hishammuddin commended the police for controlling the situation.

Among the journalists who were roughed up was Radzi Razak, from TheSun, who claimed that he was beaten up by seven or eight police officers, despite displaying his media card.

Chen Shaua Fui, assistant editor of news site Merdeka Review, said four policemen tried to snatch her camera and when she showed her press card, it was thrown aside and she was threatened with arrest if she continued taking pictures.

Camera memory cards seized

Malaysiakini's photojournalist Koh Jun Lin was temporarily detained after taking photographs of police beating up protesters. Koh's camera and memory card were also seized but his camera was returned upon his release.

Arif Kartono, a photographer with The Malay Mail, reported that he was assaulted by six uniformed police personnel and his camera was smashed. His colleague, Ashraf Shamsul Azlan, was also threatened and had his camera memory card seized.

Makkal Osai photographer P. Malayandy also had his camera confiscated and said he was assaulted when he tried photographing police beating up protesters.

NONEAl-Jazeera correspondent Harry Fawcett had said he and the international news network’s cameraperson were shoved, causing their video camera to fall and be smashed, while Channel News Asia videographer Kenny Lew was allegedly punched by police and had his tripod seized.

Huang An Jian, a photographer with Chinese newspaper Guang Ming Daily, was arrested while taking photographs of protesters being arrested and The Malaysian Insider's Lisa J. Ariffin took a hit from a tear gas canister launched at the crowd.

Contrastingly, however, was the statement by Al Hijrah videographer Mohd Azri Mohd Salleh, who said he was by protesters when he tried to protect a policeman.
                                   

2 comments:

  1. we have a minister that exhibt pure arrogance and deem the public is so uneducated and dumb.


    However, both gentlemen fail to point out 1 glaring point - why the need to destroy the photos taken It is akin to destruction of evidence and impeding justice process

    ill intent at best, criminal action at worst

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  2. Ketua M.C.A Gombak YIP KUM FOOK,
    Perkara U buat salah (jahat), tipu wang orang ramai, tipu perempuan dan wang perempuan, makan wang Tokong ……U sekiranya manusia U mesti bertanggongjawab sendiri.

    U menlaporkan kepada Polis. Polis mesti akan guna otaknya menyiasat mana yang betul dan mana yang tipu. Siapa makan cilli padi, siapa akan rasa pedasnya.

    Kalau U Jantan, gunalah nama U sendiri bertekal di Internet, jangan guna nama yang Suci SAMNAK SAMBODHI, DESA JAYA, KEPONG, KULAU LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, bagi menyembunyikan diri..

    Head of M.C.A Gombak YIP KUM FOOK ,
    U do mistake (crooks), lies of money people, lies of women and money women, eat money Temple, U are human being should be charged with the responsibility themselves.

    U report to police. Police must use his brain will investigate what is right and what is wrong. Anyone eat Cilli Padi, Anyone will feel the spiciness.

    if U males, U use own name against on the Internet, do not use the Holy name of SAMNAK SAMBODHI, DESA JAYA, KEPONG, KULAU LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, for hide yourself ..


    Head of M.C.A Gombak YIP KUM FOOK ,
    你做邪恶的事,骗公众的钱,骗女人和骗女人的钱,吃寺庙的钱...... 你应该自己负责任。

    你向警方报案。警方一定会使用大脑进行调查,谁是错误, 谁骗人的钱.。谁I吃辣椒,谁会觉得辣。

    你如果是男性,在互联网上使用自己的名辩论,不要使用神圣 SAMNAK SAMBODHI, DESA JAYA, KEPONG, KULAU LUMPUR, MALAYSIA,的名来隐藏自己..

    YOUR TRULY

    MCA MALAYSIA

    ReplyDelete