The use of handcuffs by members of the security forces, including auxiliary policemen, on individuals who have not committed any physical provocation is perceived to be irrational and irrelevant.

Vice-chairperson of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) Lee Lam Thye told Bernama that on the other hand, if an individual acted violently, carried a weapon or attacked the authorities, the handcuff could be used as a preventive measure.

He said this when asked to comment on the incident where a photographer of Bernama was allegedly punched and handcuffed by several auxiliary policemen near the South Integrated Terminal-Bandar Tasik Selatan (TBS-BTS), three days ago.

In the incident, Hairul Nizam Baharin, 37, claimed that he was assaulted by a group of men wearing the auxiliary police vests after taking photographs around the terminal at about 11.30am.

As he was leaving the area, he claimed that the auxiliary policemen ordered him to stop his motorcycle, but he refused because he did not know what their intention was before he was punched and handcuffed.

Lee said the move by the auxiliary policemen who allegedly punched the photographer was also described as excessive and could tarnish the image of the auxiliary police force particularly.

"There's no rationale in using the handcuff if the individual concerned does not commit any violent act unless it is true that he had attacked or caused injury, then the use of the handcuff is seen to be appropriate.

"In fact, I'm very sad when there is an element of violence in the incident where it can be described as an abuse of power by the auxiliary police and it should not have happened," he said.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia, meanwhile, condemned the alleged assault on a Bernama photographer by auxiliary policemen while he was carrying out his duties on Jan 9.

In a statement today, CIJ said journalists, press photographers and other individuals should not be subjected to such harassment and intimidation by the authorities when going about their duties.

"We call on the police to conduct a thorough and swift investigation and to charge the individuals in question if it is found that the assault and threatening behaviour did indeed take place," it said.