Assault: PM passing the buck, says disabled rights group

Disability Advocacy and Welfare Network (Dawn) has voiced disappointment with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent comments on the unresolved case of a deaf e-hailing driver allegedly assaulted by a Johor royal family member’s escort.

The group’s secretary-general Anthony Chong told Malaysiakini that the prime minister is deflecting responsibility rather than addressing the issue concerning the probe into Ong Ing Keong’s case head-on.

“I think they are buying more time so that the public forgets about this case. It’s relatively straightforward, yet they are delaying it,” Chong said, pointing out that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has yet to provide any updates on the matter.

“If the AGC has decided not to proceed, they should inform us so that our lawyers can take further action. But nothing has happened so far. It feels like only we are making noise.”

Chong further questioned the inconsistent statements from the police and their reluctance to pursue the case.

“It seems like the police are passing the responsibility to the AGC, and then the AGC is stuck, sending it back to the police. After that, there’s just silence,” he said.

‘We didn’t judge’

Chong’s remarks followed Anwar’s remarks earlier today, where the latter addressed the situation by emphasising that certain cases take time and urged the public to trust the judicial process.

Speaking to reporters after Friday prayers, Anwar cautioned against making premature judgments, noting that the case is still under judicial review.

Chong took issue with Anwar’s advice not to pass judgment, arguing that authorities’ inaction raises suspicion.

“We didn’t judge anything. Their actions - or lack thereof - make it seem like they are trying to sweep the case under the rug.”

He criticised the prime minister for failing to provide any concrete solutions or commit to further investigation.

“It feels like the PM is also passing the responsibility back to the AGC or the police. He didn’t say anything about resolving the issue or looking into it further.”

Chong warned that if the government continues to sidestep the case, it undermines the principle that “no one is above the law” in Malaysia.

“It seems like the legal system is being exploited for the benefit of those in high positions,” he added.

Set up independent panel

On Sept 5, Ong together with Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), submitted a memorandum and a dashcam recording of the assault to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Among others, the memorandum urged the prime minister to set up an independent commission of inquiry into the incident.

LFL also pointed out that the police stated that the investigation papers had been submitted twice to the prosecutors.

Human rights lawyer group adviser N Surendran stated that the lack of action on the assault case after nearly four months damaged the credibility of Malaysia’s justice system.

“It’s a negation of the rule of law which holds that every citizen is entitled to equal protection under the law. Where is the protection for a hard-working disabled person gratuitously beaten while at work?

“This delay or failure to charge the offender is incomprehensible, unacceptable and unforgivable,” he added.

Dodging questions

Previously, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil sidestepped the media’s inquiry on Ong’s case, asking for the question to be channelled to the right agency with the authority to take the necessary measures.

On May 28, the 48-year-old driver was punched in the face outside a hotel in Kuala Lumpur by a police personnel escorting Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

It was also alleged that Ong had inked four reports but contributed to only one of them, which was the first report lodged after the incident.

Chong previously claimed the police had not commented on this allegation, and it remains unclear whether there was an internal investigation into the matter.

Previously, it was reported that the investigation papers were submitted to the AGC twice - on June 5 and July 27 - but there has been no development since then.

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