PKR Youth Guarantees Media's Safety In By-election

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth vice-chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin has guaranteed the safety of media members covering the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign period.

He gave an assurance that party members and supporters would not disturb or threaten the media.

The Election Commission has announced that candidates would be named on Aug 16 and voting would take place on Aug 26.

Shamsul Iskandar said the party had also apologised to Guang Ming Daily photographer Loh Hooi Hoon who was allegedly assaulted by a group of PKR supporters.

The incident occured when Loh was covering a ceramah by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Seberang Jaya, Penang last Sunday.

"We have officially apologised to Loh and she has kindly accepted it. We have also given her mandarin oranges as a symbol of peace," Shamsul Iskandar told Bernama here Wednesday.

He said PKR Youth would launch a media-friendly campaign in Penang on Saturday to increase awareness among the party's supporters on the importance of cooperation between the party and the media.

"We will launch the campaign and the PKR Youth election machinery for the by-election on Aug 9, which will be attended by Pas Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub and DAP Youth chief Nga Kor Ming.

"We give an assurance that the incident will not recur," he said, adding that what occured on Aug 3 was beyond the party's control.

Since it happened at a PKR event, the party took responsibility, he said.-- BERNAMA