PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has publicly condemned the recent assault on senior sports journalist Haresh Deol in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, describing the incident as entirely unacceptable
Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said today, the Prime Minister emphasised that no journalist should ever be subjected to violence, particularly while performing their professional duties.
"At today’s Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister expressed his condemnation of the actions of several individuals who attacked a senior journalist named Haresh Deol.
“The incident should not have occurred to any journalist, especially while they were carrying out their duties," Fahmi told reporters following the post-Cabinet briefing.
In a separate matter, Anwar reiterated his position that no individual, including his former political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, will be protected if found involved in misconduct or corruption.
"Nobody is exempt from the law in our country," Fahmi said, recounting the Prime Minister’s statements during Friday’s Cabinet meeting.
Anwar also reminded ministers to monitor their officers closely and refrain from shielding anyone involved in wrongdoing.
Shamsul Iskandar had submitted his resignation earlier this week, following allegations made by businessman Albert Tei, who claimed to have paid over RM600,000 to the former Hang Tuah Jaya MP under the impression that the funds would be returned to politicians in Sabah.
The matter was further complicated by the circulation on social media of a letter allegedly signed by one of Anwar’s political secretaries.
The letter, dated 6 May 2024, was addressed to an aide of Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, requesting consideration of six contractors for a hospital project in Muar. Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli identified Shamsul Iskandar as the author of the letter.
Earlier, on 18 November, Anwar had disclosed in the Dewan Rakyat that he had already reprimanded his former aide, noting that government regulations and principles strictly prohibit such actions.
The allegations have prompted calls from opposition parties for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation.
Regarding Shamsul Iskandar’s political future, Fahmi, also PKR’s Chief of Information, stated that no party-level discussions have yet taken place.
"There has been no discussion within the party regarding any political positions. We may need to wait until the next central leadership council meeting," he said. - November 28, 2025
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