A journalist has been attacked after his recent article on triad activities was believed to have angered gang members, a report said Saturday.

Pang Tian Koo, who works for the Chinese-language Sin Chew Daily , had his right hand almost severed in a machete attack in a crowded restaurant late Thursday, the New Straits Times said.

Pang, 41, was rushed to a hospital in Segamat in Johor where he underwent a six-hour surgery to reattach his hand, the newspaper said. (Photo shows Pang with his wife Siew Moi in the hospital.)

Sources were quoted as saying that Pang was most likely attacked over his article on triad activities in the area.

Second attack

This was the second time that Pang, who has worked for Sin Chew since 1988 and is also a district councillor, was attacked after writing about triads, the daily said.

Pang's case has shocked reporters, who condemned the attack and expressed concerns over the rising trend in violent crime.

"We feel this sort of attack may hinder journalists from carrying out their professional duties to the best of their ability without fear," said National Union of Journalists secretary-general Hong Boon How.

They urged police to quickly track down the assailant and weed out triad activities, largely prevalent in the Chinese community which makes up a quarter of Malaysia's 23 million population. - AFP