Photojournalists and videographers are upset with the way security personnel - comprising PKR Youth members - treated them for the duration of Sunday's anti-fuel price hike rally at Kelana Jaya.

There were numerous complaints of journalists being rudely stopped from carrying out their duties on that day.

journalist photographers cameraman impolitely treated by protes organizers at petrol price hike rally in kelana jaya 080708 04The most glaring incident occurred during the Carburetor Dung melee following the botched performance of the rock band.

Blue-clad security personnel repeatedly stopped photojournalists and videographers from taking footage of the incident.

"I was pushed and they tried to grab my camera. I held on tight and pulled back forcefully," said Malaysiakini videographer Mohd Kamal Ishak, who has video clips of security personnel covering his camera lens.

Other photojournalists have claimed that there were also attempts by security personnel to confiscate their cameras.

‘Anwar's image at stake'

Similarly, Channel New Asia videographer Hanifah Hamzah told Malaysiakini that the security personnel, on top of their physical intimidation, where hurling profanities at the press.

"When party leaders arrived that night, especially Anwar Ibrahim, it was very difficult for the press to get pictures of him. They (security personnel) were blocking the view completely," he said.

Compounding the matter, said Hanifah, was that some supporters were allowed to stand by the parameter of the VIP cordon, but legitimate members of the press were not.

journalist photographers cameraman impolitely treated by protes organizers at petrol price hike rally in kelana jaya 080708 02"These people did not have press passes and were only armed with camera phones. Coordination was very bad, there were conflicting instructions from their heads on who gets access and who is blocked."

Hanifah suggested that the security personnel need proper training and attire (they were wearing blue T-shirts with marked masking tape on sleeves to denote rank and duties).

"They are carrying with them (PKR de facto leader) Anwar Ibrahim's image so they must know how to conduct themselves properly," he said.

‘Unit Amal better behaved'

TVPas videographer Bard Muhamad told Malaysiakini that in general, the security personnel were not "media-friendly".

"PAS' Unit Amal (volunteer unit) behaves much better under such circumstances," he added.

genie lim siew linPKR media coordinator Ginie Lim said she has received several complaints over the security personnel and the matter has been relayed to PKR Youth and the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes), which organised the Sunday rally.

journalist photographers cameraman impolitely treated by protes organizers at petrol price hike rally in kelana jaya 080708 01"They are youth members who were volunteering for the event. We agree that they are new and inexperienced in handling this kind of event.

"There was a one-day briefing for the volunteers. This is the first time that PKR Youth volunteers from different branches have come together for one event. So there may have been some branches who performed better and some who were still new," she said.

The Malaysia Chinese Photojournalists Association has written to Lim urging her to ensure that the PKR volunteers would show more respect for journalists in future.

"It would be helpful for the media and PKR press officers to work together to ensure photographers can carry out their work, and at the same time ensure security is not compromised," MCPA president Vincent Thian.

Protes had previously said that 2,500 volunteers were present at the event as security and traffic detail, with 500 from PKR Youth.