Johor Umno liaison committee chief Mohamed Khaled Nordin has described as inappropriate the ousting of reporters from the delegates meeting and election of the Pasir Gudang Umno Youth.

Mohamed Khaled, who is chairman of Pasir Gudang Umno division, said that the Umno Youth permanent chairman Moeinuddin Zakaria should have known better than to remove the reporters.

He said Moeinuddin should understand the role of the media, especially with Umno members nationwide focusing on today's elections.  

"As we are all aware, the media plays an important role in disseminating information to the public," he added.

The Johor menteri besar said this when contacted by reporters for his comments on an incident where reporters covering the event at the Dewan UniKL in Bandar Seri Alam, Pasir Gudang, were ordered out of the hall.

"He should have been nice ... polite and courteous so as not hurt the feelings of other people," he added.  

Meanwhile, Johor Media Club deputy president 1, Raja Jaafar Raja Ali, who was at the scene, expressed his regret over the incident.  

He said it should not have happened as the reporters had been issued with a pass by the Umno headquarters to cover the event.

- Bernama