NUJ president Mohd Taufek Razak said that the action by the Pahang Umno members had shown a lack of maturity and respect for a journalist’s duties.

He said it was Adnan’s secretary who had invited the media to cover the convention. Adnan is chairman of the Pahang Umno.

Postings on social media by journalists yesterday said that reporters had been notified that they could cover the opening ceremony by Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein.

However, at the convention, a note had been passed to Adnan after which he had sternly asked reporters to leave. This was accompanied by booing from other Pahang Umno members who chanted “Keluar! Keluar!” (Get out! Get out!)

The NUJ said reporters should not be made the scapegoat for any dissatisfaction with the performance of any news organisation.

“It is not the role of the reporter to be humiliated. Each assignment they undertake is in accordance with the instructions of their superiors and invitations received from organisers,” Mohd Taufek said in the statement.

He said that journalists did not have the power to boycott or sever ties with Pahang Umno or the menteri besar. “The ones with the power to boycott are the news organisations and media themselves,” he said and hoped for a harmonious relationship where all parties respected each other.