In a statement, Johor Bahru Selatan police chief Raub Selamat said the incident occurred at around 9am yesterday while the man was waiting for his case to be called at the Johor Bahru magistrates’ court.

He said the suspect threatened to beat up the media for taking his photograph, with the incident caught on video by TV3 and another news outlet.

All three victims felt threatened and later lodged a police report, Raub added.

“The suspect was arrested in Bandar Baru Uda this morning by a team from the criminal investigation division of the Johor Bahru Selatan police headquarters.

“Investigations found that the incident occurred on the stairway leading to the courtroom, and video footage handed over to the police confirmed the utterance of the threat,” he said.

Raub stressed that the police would not tolerate any form of intimidation or threats against media personnel performing their duties.

“The safety and freedom of the press will be protected,” Raub said.

He also confirmed that the man was at the magistrates’ court yesterday to face two other charges – one for mischief, for which he was fined RM7,000 (or one year’s jail in default), and another for reckless driving, for which he was fined RM3,000.

The man paid all the fines.