NGO: Cops 'prepared' three reports for alleged assault victim

Disabled e-hailing driver Ong Ing Keong had inked a total of four reports in relation to his alleged assault by an escort of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, said the Malaysian Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing Organisation (Dawn).

According to Dawn secretary-general Anthony Chong, the alleged victim only contributed to one of the reports, which is the first he had lodged after the incident on May 28.

"There were four reports (in total). The first report - he told the police (about the incident) and signed," Chong (above, right) told Malaysiakini after checking with Ong.

"Then in the next three reports, he did not contribute anything. The police got the reports ready and asked him to read and then he signed," he added.

Malaysiakini contacted Chong to seek further clarification about Ong’s comments at the sidelines of a press conference in Petaling Jaya yesterday - where he alleged the police prepared the “second” report and told him to sign.

On Wednesday, Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Mohd Isa said the second report was lodged at 9.45pm - the night before (May 28). It stated that Ong did not wish to pursue the matter further as it had been resolved.

Hours earlier, Bukit Aman CID director Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain told a press conference that the alleged victim lodged a report at 1pm on May 28 and the case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code.

Asked if Ong fully comprehended the contents of the three additional reports, Chong doubted it.

"From what I understand, he does not fully understand what had been written in the reports.

"He only read words about himself - like time, day, work, what happened. He can recognise (these) words and he agreed. However, he cannot make sense of full sentences," he added.

Chong said while the first three reports were lodged on May 28, the fourth was filed on May 29.

The Dawn secretary-general had also acted as a sign language interpreter for Ong during yesterday’s press conference at the Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) office, where the alleged victim recounted what transpired at the Brickfields police district headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

At the press conference, Chong said the case highlighted the importance of acknowledging that not all deaf people in Malaysia are proficient in either Bahasa Malaysia or English due to educational backgrounds.

‘I don’t condone illegal actions’

Prior to the press conference, Tunku Ismail posted a statement on X that he does not condone illegal actions or acts of intimidation.

His Highness also revealed that the incident outside a hotel in Kuala Lumpur involved a police security team.

“With reference to the incident that happened at St Regis Hotel Kuala Lumpur on May 28, I was informed the following day and I immediately urged the police security escort team to cooperate with investigations.

“I do not condone any illegal action or intimidation. I urge the authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident where a police officer escort is alleged to have committed a harmful act,” he said.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said Bukit Aman would summon all officers involved in investigating the case.

"This is to ensure a thorough investigation (of the matter) and everyone involved can provide their statements,” he added.

Vowing to take strict action against officers who violated the law, Razarudin said the topmost priority of every investigation is to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.

Ong is scheduled to record another police statement this afternoon.

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