Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) communications director Khalid Samad has said the party should exercise restraint when dealing with the media.

This is following an incident where an Amanah Youth member argued with a Malaysiakini journalist, who was hindered from attending PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli's press conference yesterday.

Khalid said he did not know what transpired behind the incident, but did not consider the Amanah Youth member's remarks to be a threat.

"This is my place and don't be lansi (arrogant),” Khalid quoted the Youth member at a press conference in Sungai Besar today.

“Does that mean (he) will hit (her)? I don't think so."

Quizzed later, Khalid said the reporter could have provoked the Amanah Youth member, based on the exchange in the KiniTV video of the incident.

"There must have been some history behind that," he suggested.

Amanah strategic director Dzulkefly Ahmad however said the matter would be investigated, and vowed that action would be taken if there was any "overzealousness" on the part of the Amanah Youth.

In a media statement issued later, Amanah Youth’s communication director Khairol Najib Hashim apologised for the incident, stating that the wing valued its relationship with the media.

Editor’s Note: Malaysiakini wishes to clarify that its reporter did not provoke the Amanah Youth member.

Since Rafizi was late, the reporter decided to go downstairs upon being notified that Rosmah Mansor’s aide Rizal Mansor had arrived at the venue.

When Rafizi arrived, the reporter attempted to quiz him on Rizal’s request of wanting to be present at the press conference.

It was at this point when an Amanah Youth member asked her who she was, and the reporter replied that she was from Malaysiakini.

The Amanah Youth member however prevented her from entering, saying that only members of the media were allowed to cover the press conference.

When he requested for her media tag, the reporter told him that she had left it upstairs.

Since the Amanah Youth member insisted that she could not enter the building, the reporter called out for Rafizi, who confirmed she was from the media.

It was at this point the Amanah Youth member told the reporter not to be arrogant, sparking off the brief exchange.