Kayveas and gang ambush Tamil daily

ARCHIVES 2013

By admin-s On Feb 22, 2013

(Free Malaysia Today) – It is said that the politician is upset over an article which claims that the ruling coalition has failed the Indians.

Enraged over a news article, People’s Progressive Party president M Kayveas and a group of his supporters ambushed Tamil vernacular daily, Malaysia Nanban’s office in Jalan Ipoh here this afternoon.

The blue T-shirt wearing mob was looking for the writer of an article who had called on Indians to demand for their rights since the ruling coalition had failed them.

The writer, who used a pseudonym, urged the Indian community to press both BN and Pakatan Rakyat to fulfill their demands on several issues such as education and eradicating crime ahead of the general election.

Six police patrol cars were deployed to the scene to contain the situation.

It is learnt that the entourage hurled obscenities at the Tamil newspaper’s staff and accused the editorial team of repeatedly painting Kayveas and PPP in a bad light.

It is also learnt that Kayveas’ group had manhandled a Malaysia Nanban journalist.

Unhappy with a critical article

Malaysia Nanban editor in chief, M Malayandy, when contacted by FMT, confirmed the incident and said Kayveas and his supporters had been harassing them since 3.30pm today.

“Kayveas, Kuala Lumpur PPP chief A Chandrakumanan and a group of 60 people were here demanding to meet our freelance writer since afternoon,” he said.

Malayandy said Kayveas and his supporters were unhappy with the article published by the newspaper yesterday, which they claimed was critical of the party.

“They want to know why we published the article. Basically the article was an overall review of all political parties.

“In one paragraph the writer stated that the PPP was giving the best service by providing free food for the people. The writer also questioned whether Indians would vote in favour of BN if free food was given to the people.

“I told Kayveas and the group that if they disagreed with the article, they can issue a rebuttal which we would publish. However they demanded in meeting with the writer,” said Malayandy.

Police at the scene

While a heated deliberation took place inside the newsroom – when at one point Kayveas and his group had allegedly ‘raided’ a senior editor’s office to demand answers, the police arrived at about 4pm after receiving a distress call.

The police then held talks with Kayveas and his supporters, urging them to leave the newspaper’s premises but without any success.

Many of Kayveas’ supporters were also seen standing outside Malaysia Nanban’s office.

FMT also learnt that a Malaysia Nanban reporter was hurt when the mob barged into the office.

Crime reporter LK Raj said he was trying to shield his superiors when he was manhandled.