The council said it received a formal complaint from an association representing members of the media in Johor, with several female practitioners among those reportedly affected.

Police are also investigating the incident which reportedly escalated into verbal altercations, where members of the media were pushed and shoved, after a report was filed by the association.

The council maintained that media practitioners performing their duties must be accorded the space and safety to do their jobs.

“They should not be obstructed, intimidated, pushed or subjected to any form of aggressive behaviour while performing their duties,” it said in a statement.

“The council wishes to make clear that physical force, aggression, or intimidation are never acceptable responses to the media’s presence.

“If any party has concerns or grievances regarding the conduct of any media practitioner or organisation, the proper course of action is to raise the matter formally through the appropriate channels, not to take matters into their own hands.”

The secretariat for the PH convention has launched its own internal investigation into the incident.