The journalists were harassed after observing a group of about 30 motorcycle riders who harrassed a group of Bersih supporters in Kuala Selangor.

The melee took place after Bersih supporters had driven through Sekinchan, Tanjung Karang and Kuala Selangor as part of their publicity campaign for a street rally planned for Nov 19 in Kuala Lumpur. Bersih, an electoral reform group, is campaigning for the resignation of prime minister Najib Razak and for political reforms.

Malaysiakini said two men were taken away by police after the melee yesterday, and that police found cartons of eggs in the boot of a car belonging to an anti-Bersih protestor.

The Star reported that about five members of the anti-Bersih group, some dressed in red, harassed two Star reporters and a videographer, and one reporter was told to delete video footage of a confrontation between the two groups of demonstrators.

“When she refused, they grabbed her by the collar of her t-shirt, pushed her, and shouted “delete, delete” at her. They were also heard shouting: You dari mana? Malaysiakini! (Where are you from? Malaysiakini!),” according to a report in the Star.

More shouts of “Malaysiakini” were heard when another reporter tried to defend his colleague. A videographer was surrounded and told to delete the video footage on his phone. His phone was snatched from him and a member of the group took a photograph of his media tag, the Star reported.

Last night, Malaysiakini said its photographer was punched on her shoulder when she was about to go to her car after taking pictures of a separate anti-Bersih group nearby. Some men shouted racial insults at her.

Malaysiakini also reported that Umno Youth exco member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah and Tanjong Karang Umno Youth deputy chief Shahrizal Shaari were among those in the anti-Bersih group.