A Chinese daily photographer was assaulted by a member of ousted Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin's security detail today.

two perak mb in thaipusam event 080209 16 Tang Cheong Hoong, 26, from the Oriental Daily was left with a bruise the size of a 50 sen coin on his left side of his forehead resulting from a punch. Blood was also oozing from the wound.

A second punch landed on the photographer's lower jaw, leaving a small bruise.

The incident took place when Mohd Nizar visited the Arulmigusubramania Temple in Gunung Cheroh this morning and was about to address a crowd on a makeshift stage.

According to witnesses, the bodyguard in a black t-shirt gestured angrily at the photographer before punching him twice.

Quizzed by reporters later, the photographer said the assailant later grudgingly offered an apology and a handshake.

The photographer said he has no intention to lodge a police report nor complain to Mohd Nizar.

"This is a small matter. I won't pursue it. He (Mohd Nizar) has enough problems now. I guess I'm giving him face.

"In a situation like this, where there are a lot of people, there is bound to be body contact which can cause misunderstanding," he said.

Nizar regrets incident

When informed of the incident, Mohd Nizar told reporters that he was unaware the incident took place, adding that "I am not responsible".

two perak mb in thaipusam event 080209 15 However he said he was sad and regretted that the incident took place.

This is not the first time overzealous bodyguards of Pakatan Rakyat leaders caused physical injuries to pressmen.

In August last year, Guang Ming Daily's Loh Hoay Hoon, 26, lodged a police report after she was kicked, chocked and hit on the head by a group of PKR security personnel at a ceramah by Anwar Ibrahim in Penang.

Days later, French photojournalist Halim Berbar and NST photographer Mohamad Sairien Nafis were assaulted by opposition supporters on nomination day of the Permatang Pauh by-election.

In July last year, numerous photographers and journalist complained that they were treated roughly by PKR security personnel during the anti-fuel hike rally in Kelana Jaya, Selangor.