Tamil-language daily Tamil Malar today expressed its disappointment over being "implicated" in the recent attack against its staff, by the police who are probing the case for rioting.

Its legal advisor K Saraswathy told a press conference today that she had confirmed the case is being probed for rioting with police officers who had come to collect closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from her yesterday.

"Rioting implies that we participated (in the scuffle), it means there was fighting between two groups.

"But the CCTV footage clearly shows that we were just standing there, on our premises. We are very disappointed that the police have made us part of the crime when we are the victims.

"We urge the police to (remember) we are the injured people, it was not a riot but an (act of) organised crime and gangsterism,” she said.

Dang Wangi police chief Mohd Sukri Kaman had reportedly said that Tuesday’s incident is being probed under Section 147 of the Penal Code that concerns “punishment for rioting”.

Saraswathy was one of three people injured in the Tuesday incident after Deputy Youth and Sports Minister M Saravanan allegedly turned up at the daily's office with a group of men, some of whom were clad in "MIC Taskforce" shirts. She also had her phone snatched in the ensuing melee.

The group was reportedly there regarding a news article ran by the daily on rental issues concerning the Federal Territory MIC, of which Saravanan is the chief.

Saravanan has claimed that he was there to "break up" a fight which had erupted but the daily had claimed that the fight only started after he arrived.

Parties found guilty of rioting can be jailed for not more than two years, or slapped with a fine, or both.

When contacted, Sukri insisted that the use of Section 147 was accurate.

"It was a riot between two groups, and it involved many people.

"The section is correct," he told Malaysiakini.

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, who was also present during the press conference, echoed Saraswathy's concerns.

“It’s clear (from the CCTV footage) that the group had come for a purpose, and the owners (of the daily) had responded in a reasonable way.

“If a group of persons comes to confront you at your premises, and you respond reasonably, can that be said as rioting? Does this mean you can’t defend yourself against it or risk being investigated for rioting?” he asked.

He urged Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohamad Fuzi Harun to explain why Section 147 was being used to investigate the incident.

“And why has no action been taken against anyone yet?” he asked, vowing to bring up the incident in Parliament during its next sitting in October.

Multiple reports to be lodged against Saravanan

Meanwhile, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy called the incident a “national issue” and said his party will lodge a police report against Saravanan in the state. 

“The DAP will lodge a police report in Penang against Saravanan for using gangsters to attack legitimate premises.

“This attack against Tamil Malar is an attack on the Indian community, on freedom and democracy, and on all freedom-loving Malaysians,” he said at the same press conference.

Saraswathy will also be lodging two police reports today.

“One to ask for my phone to be returned and another against Saravanan for misleading the public (by saying he was not responsible for the incident),” she said.