The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged the police to conduct a detailed investigation into the assault of a journalist in Penang by a neighbourhood watch patrol.

In a press release today, NUJ president Chin Sung Chew had proposed that the police investigate the matter under Section 337 of the Penal Code for "causing hurt".

guang ming daily journalist ang kean siang assault by pps 301212 1 Chin was referring to beating suffered by Guang Ming Daily journalist Ang Kean Siang ( left ) allegedly at the hands of the Lorong Perak Volunteer Patrol Team (PPS) yesterday.

Ang said the incident happened after he was attempting to take photographs of a suicide victim in Georgetown.

Chin said a journalist's job included covering social issues, thus violence should not be used to stop them from performing their duties.

"NUJ urges the police to conduct a detailed investigation in order for the real picture to be uncovered so action can be taken against the assailants who punched Ang and kicked his groin," said Chin.

Yesterday, the Penang government apologised a few hours after the incident and promised to cooperate with the police to bring the assailants to justice.

Additionally, the relevant PPS has been suspended pending investigations.

The PPS system is a state sanctioned neighbourhood watch programme.