Fifty-five days – this is the freedom R. Krishnan will get to enjoy after he pleaded guilty before the Kuala Lumpur magistrate’s court this afternoon for assaulting Twentytwo13 co-owner and editor Haresh Deol.
The Nov 25 incident, which took place in broad daylight in upscale Bangsar, gripped the nation and even saw condemnation by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during today’s Cabinet meeting.
Krishnan, however, will be able to enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations after magistrate Illi Marisqa Khalizan granted bail and set sentencing on Jan 22, 2026.
The delivery runner was charged with another suspect, who is still at large, for voluntarily causing hurt to Haresh in front of the Tanjung Balai Group building on Tuesday.
The charge, framed under Section 323 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail term of one year, a fine up to RM2,000 or both. The accused, clad in a black T-shirt, shorts and slippers, appeared unfazed as the charge was read to him.
At 12.59pm, he nodded once to indicate he understood the charges, and a second time when asked whether he wished to plead guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor Hench Goh requested that bail be set at RM4,000 with one surety, but Krishnan’s lawyer, Mohamad Salihen Mastor, asked for it to be set at RM2,000. The defence counsel said the accused was the sole breadwinner, with a wife and six children to support. Salihen added his client worked as a runner and earns RM40 a day.
He also said Krishnan would report to the police station once a month, and Goh raised no objections.
Goh had initially requested that sentencing be set for Jan 20. However, Salihen said he had another matter on that date and requested that it be rescheduled to Jan 22 or 23 instead.
Magistrate Illi Marisqa Khalizan acceded to the request, and set Jan 22 for sentencing.
Krishnan’s wife posted bail and he walked out of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex in Jalan Duta at 3.47pm.
Krishnan, in a face mask, leaving the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex after posting bail this evening.
Haresh, who is also the National Press Club Malaysia’s deputy president, was attacked by two men on Nov 25 as a third person recorded the incident. The ordeal left Haresh, a multi-award winning journalist, with bruising on his nose and body, and bloodied elbows. Haresh’s personal belongings were not taken in the incident.
Krishnan was arrested on Nov 26 and subsequently remanded for three days.
On Nov 26, Brickfields police chief ACP Hoo Chang Kook said the motive behind the attack appeared “personal”. Haresh, however, stressed he did not have personal issues with anyone.
Kuala Lumpur chief of police Datuk Fadil Marsus yesterday said the incident was a case of “mistaken identity”. Fadil added that Krishnan had several previous criminal records.
Haresh has been reporting extensively on the Fifa–FA of Malaysia “doctored documents” scandal involving seven footballers that has grabbed headlines worldwide.
He has received messages of support from media organisations such as the National Press Club Malaysia, the Malaysian Media Council and Gerakan Media Merdeka, as well as Malaysians from all walks of life.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the prime minister expressed his outrage over the incident during the Cabinet meeting earlier today, describing the attack by several individuals against Haresh as unacceptable and deeply troubling.
During the post-Cabinet press conference, Fahmi said: “The prime minister conveyed his condemnation of the actions of several individuals who attacked senior journalist Haresh Deol. The incident is something that should never happen to any journalist, especially when they are carrying out their duties.”
Main image courtesy of Bernama/Hafiz Sohaimi
