A MEDIA-related non-governmental organisation (NGO) lashed out at two PAS leaders for attempting to bully and intimidate a reporter for asking questions about Kedah’s ban on 4D gaming outlets.
“We regret the two PAS leaders’ actions who employed bullying tactics and intimidation just to evade questions from the reporter.
“Their actions are unwarranted and unacceptable,” said Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) in a statement.
According to Free Malaysia Today, one of its senior reporters, Minderjeet Kaur, had attempted to ask Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Idris Ahmad and Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Awang Hashim questions in regards to Kedah’s ban on 4D gaming outlets, during the launch of Perikatan Nasional manifesto in Shah Alam.
Instead of answering the question, Idris shot back at the reporter asking would she accept it if her husband was a gambler.
He had also claimed that when PAS banned gambling in Kelantan and Terengganu, both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities accepted it.
With that, Awang stepped in and told Minderjeet to ask question in Malay instead of English, even resorting to questioning her citizenship.
DAP to press for public apology
On that note, Geramm reminded the Government that members of the press are duty bound to ask questions on any issues and those being grilled had the right not to comment on it.
“But that doesn’t give anyone the right to bully or intimidate reporters on a personal level just because you are ill-prepared to provide answers,” it remarked.
On related matter, DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng said that he would pursue the PAS leaders in Parliament to demand a public apology for their unruly behaviour.
“They were arrogant and belittled Minderjeet by bringing her family in the matter. They have shown PAS’ true face, who are nothing but bullies.
“This may be acceptable behaviour for PAS leaders in their party, who admire the Taliban government in Afghanistan, but not to Malaysians who have rights under the Federal Constitution,” the Bagan MP added. – Nov 15, 2021
