The National Union of Journalist (NUJ) has condemned the authorities over an alleged attack by auxiliary police personnel on a Bernama photographer, Hairul Nizam Baharin.

Expressing regret over the incident, NUJ president Hata Wahari said that the authorities must exercise restraint when dealing with journalists and photographers.

He said that in Hairul Nizam’s case, the auxiliary police should not have taken action because he was merely discharging his duties by taking pictures of the newly-opened Integrated Transportation Terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan.

NONE “The photographer was merely carrying out his professional duty and there was no reason for the auxillary police to demand Hairul to identify himself as this was not a security zone.

“The auxillarry police are said to have assaulted Hairul Nizam by punching him on his face and neck, and there were injuries on his wrists as a result of his hands being handcuffed,” he said.

Hata said that as Hairul Nizam was immediately released after being brought to a police station later, it shows that he has not committed any offence.

Hairul Nizam, 37, was reportedly assaulted, handcuffed and threatened by the auxiliary personnel at the terminal for failing to heed their orders to stop taking photographs.

He said that the personnel looked suspicious, and that he was attacked after refusing to produce his identification card.