PM's aide, Bersatu leaders slam DBKL officers' alleged assault on trader

Summary

• PM’s aide condemns alleged assault by DBKL officers against a balloon vendor on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur.

• Bersatu leaders express similar sentiments, urging for compassion amid Ramadan.

• This comes after a viral video shows DBKL officers allegedly manhandling the trader last night.

An aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the actions of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officers who were seen in a viral video allegedly assaulting a balloon vendor on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman last night.

Taking to X, Anwar’s political secretary, Kamil Abdul Munim, described the incident as an “unacceptable vile act”.

“No excuse given by DBKL can justify such a reprehensible and insolent act.

“What is the point of fasting and doing good deeds in the month of Ramadan if it fails to humanise us, fostering compassion and empathy to those in need,” he said.

‘Where are our values?’

Expressing similar sentiments, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin highlighted that small traders often look for avenues to increase their income as the festive season approaches.

As such, he recommended that local authorities facilitate such efforts by providing temporary licences that allow sellers to conduct business at certain locations for a stipulated period.

He noted that the previous Perikatan Nasional administration he helmed had implemented a similar measure as part of an initiative to reduce the rakyat’s burden following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Separately, Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin described the video as “shocking”.

“After viewing this video, I wonder. Is that what we want to portray? Where are the values of my nation?

“A nation full of compassion, a nation full of patience, yet this video reveals something that shocks us all,” the opposition leader said in a Facebook post.

Wanita Umno information chief Rosni Zahari said while she understands that laws must be upheld, it should be done using wisdom, empathy, and with humanity.

“All enforcement actions must be premised on professionalism and care to avoid violence.

“And the trader should have been approached using wisdom and understanding, especially in the holy month of Ramadan,” she said in a statement today.

In the one-minute-43-second video, a group of DBKL officers were seen surrounding the balloon vendor who purportedly refused to surrender his items sold without a licence.

At one point, the balloon vendor appeared to be lying on the ground while being manhandled by several male officers.

Other female officers on scene were seen pushing away onlookers, and a voice in the video was heard repeatedly shouting, “Jangan macam ni! Orang tu meniaga je pun!” (Don’t do that! He was only doing business!).

Berita Harian earlier reported that DBKL had launched an operation along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman to crack down on illegal traders targeting last-minute Hari Raya shoppers. 

When contacted, an aide to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said a statement on the incident is expected for release soon.

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