The Penang government has apologised over the assault of a journalist by a state sanctioned local neighbourhood watch.

ng wei aik phee boon poh visit guang ming daily journalist ang kean siang 301212 According to a Facebook posting by Komtar state assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik ( far left in photo ) said the state government would investigate the matter and take action against those responsible.

According to Sinar Harian’s online edition, Guang Ming Daily reporter Ang Kean Siang ( left ) claim he was multiple times in the face and kicked in the groin during the incident.

His said his camera was also damaged after it was thrown to the ground.

Ang said his ordeal began after he went to a flat in Georgetown  at 1.20am this morning upon learning at a woman had committed suicide.

'Thug-like behaviour'

While attempting to take photographs of the victim, a man had shouted at him and ordered him to leave the area while another man brought him to the Lorong Perak Volunteer Patrol Team (PPS) control post.

guang ming daily journalist ang kean siang assault by pps 301212 1 “After being brought to the PPS control post, the man known as Ah Chai who scolded me earlier came with three others. The threatened and assaulted me straight away,” said Ang ( left ) after making a police report at the Timur Laut police district headquarters.

“I regret the incident because they (PPS members) are supposed to maintain peace and safety, but their actions against me show that they are like thugs,

“I was just doing my job and if they are not happy with that, this is not the way to resolve it,” he said, adding that he is determined to continue his work.

Ng said that the PPS involved to be suspended and promised that the state government would assist police investigations.

“We hope that all PPS members will take lessons from this incident that the law would not be abused by any PPS again,” he said.