Journalist Haresh Deol assaulted in Bangsar amid coverage of FAM forgery scandal

Veteran journalist and co-founder of TwentyTwo13, Haresh Deol, was physically assaulted in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, around 3.30pm on 25 November 2025.

The attack occurred shortly after Haresh concluded a meeting and was walking toward his car.

According to reports, he observed two men loitering nearby before a third man shoved him from behind. The two visible men then began punching and kicking him, while the third recorded the attack using a mobile phone.

Despite the violent assault, no belongings were taken from Haresh.

He subsequently filed a police report at the Brickfields District Police Headquarters and is undergoing a medical examination to assess his injuries.

Both his elbows were bloodied, his face sustained multiple bruises, and his nose appeared bent, raising concerns of a possible fracture.

Strong condemnation from media organisations

The National Press Club president, Ahirudin Attan, also known as Rocky Bru, issued a statement condemning the attack.

“The attack on Haresh is cowardly and sick,” said Ahirudin, who also serves as executive director of Big Boom Media, publisher of Scoop.

Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm), an organisation that advocates for press freedom, expressed grave concern over the assault.

In a strongly worded statement, Geramm stressed that violence and intimidation against journalists erode democratic values and press independence.

“Physical attacks on journalists not only endanger individual safety but also undermine the public’s right to accurate and pressure-free information,” the group stated.

Geramm urged police to conduct an immediate and transparent investigation, including identifying the assailants and determining the motive behind the incident.

It also called for strict action against the perpetrators to send a clear message that violence against journalists will not be tolerated.

Assault linked to coverage of major football scandal

The timing of the assault has raised concerns, as Haresh Deol has been actively reporting on the ongoing “doctored documents” scandal involving the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

Seven foreign-born players—Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano—were alleged to have obtained Malaysian citizenship using fraudulent documentation.

FAM had claimed that these players were eligible to represent Malaysia based on their grandparents’ birth in the country, in accordance with FIFA’s eligibility rules.

However, on 25 September 2025, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee found FAM and the players in breach of Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, citing forgery and falsification.

Although FAM denied wrongdoing, FIFA’s Appeal Committee released a report on 18 November, urging its secretariat to launch a formal investigation into FAM’s internal processes.

The report specifically highlighted the roles of FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman and two FIFA-licensed agents—Nicolás Puppo and Frederico Moraes—as areas requiring further scrutiny.

Police confirm investigation is under way

Brickfields District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Hoo Chang Hook confirmed that a report was filed at the Bangsar Police Beat Base and that further investigation is ongoing.

No arrests have been made at the time of writing, and authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the assault.

Meanwhile, Haresh has continued to receive support from media practitioners and civil society groups demanding accountability and safety assurances for journalists.

Geramm called on political leaders and the public to respect the role of journalists and to ensure their safety while reporting on matters of public interest.

“The safety of media personnel must be guaranteed, especially when reporting on issues involving public accountability,” Geramm said.