Share to help stimulate good governance, ensure future of people & M’sia
No News Is Bad News
AGC and cops sit on case of deaf and mute Grab driver punched by cop on May 26
Update3
Malaysia
Expedite prosecution of police escort in deaf driver assault case, Suhakam says
Human rights body stresses that delays in addressing this issue will undermine public confidence.
Updated 28 minutes ago · Published on 16 Aug 2024 5:59PM
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia has urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers to expedite criminal proceedings against a police escort who allegedly attacked a deaf Grab driver in May. – Suhakam logo, August 16, 2024.
by Alfian Z.M. Tahir
THE Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the Attorney-General’s Chamber (AGC) to expedite criminal proceedings against a police escort who allegedly attacked a deaf Grab driver in May.
Suhakam said the delay in addressing this serious incident undermined public confidence in the institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law and delivering justice.
Suhakam also asked for clarity as to what kind of action had been taken against the police officer so far.
In a statement today, the human rights body said while it welcomed Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain’s announcement that disciplinary action had been taken, it still wanted to know what type of punitive action, if any, was taken against the said officer.
“As duty bearers entrusted with the protection of the public, police officers have a profound responsibility to uphold and to protect the rights of all individuals, including persons with disabilities.
“Suhakam reaffirms that any abuse of power by law enforcement officers is unacceptable and stands in direct violation of the principles of justice enshrined in our legal framework and international human rights standards.
“The Federal Constitution under Article 8 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the law, a principle that must be upheld by all public authorities, including the police and the AGC,” the statement read.
On Wednesday, Razarudin said disciplinary action had already been taken against the VVIP escort policeman who was reported to have injured a disabled e-hailing driver in an assault outside The St Regis Kuala Lumpur hotel on May 28.
He added that action was taken immediately after an internal investigation by the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department in early June.
He said policemen with disciplinary problems could be punished with warnings, withholding of salary increments, suspension, and demotion.
Razarudin was responding to Lawyers for Liberty, which published a dashcam video of the victim Ong Ing Keong being assaulted by someone believed to be the security escort of a VIP.
Ong's lawyer, N. Surendran, said the attacker had yet to be penalised despite police claims that the investigation papers had been submitted to the AGC.
In the 90-second video, Ong can be seen behind the wheel of his car waiting for his passenger to put a bag into the boot. A man in a suit knocks on the car window, ordering him to move the vehicle. The driver uses sign language to tell the man that he is waiting for the passenger. A few seconds later, another man in a suit appears and punches Ong.
Suhakam said it was imperative that justice was not only done but was seen to be done, particularly for individuals with special needs.
It stressed the importance of the principle of transparency and accountability in the handling of the case to ensure that the victim was accorded the justice he deserved in a prompt manner.
Suhakam said the public has the right to be informed regarding the progress of the case.
It also urged the AGC to provide prompt regular updates on the actions being taken.
“By taking prompt and transparent actions, the police and the AGC can assuage public concern that abuse of power will not be tolerated, and that the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly those with special needs, will be respected and protected,” Suhakam added. – August 16, 2024.
Update2
Malaysia
Suspect in deaf driver assault case must be prosecuted, says lawyer
Ex-MP says the issue cannot be dealt with as an internal police disciplinary matter.
Updated 1 second ago · Published on 15 Aug 2024 12:20PM
Deaf Grab driver Ong Ing Keong’s lawyer N. Surendran (pictured) says the person who assaulted his client must face prosecution in line with usual procedures under the Malaysian criminal justice system. – Facebook pic, August 15, 2024.
by Alfian Z.M. Tahir
THE suspect in the assault case involving deaf Grab driver Ong Ing Keong must be prosecuted in line with the usual procedures under the Malaysian criminal justice system, Ong’s lawyer N. Surendran said.
Responding to Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain who yesterday claimed that action had been taken against the suspect, Surendran said the matter could not be dealt with as an internal police disciplinary matter.
“This case does not encompass only a police disciplinary matter. It involves an assault and battery captured clearly on video. The victim had suffered pain, injury and emotional trauma.
“This is a criminal offence under the Penal Code, and a prosecution must be instituted in line with the usual procedures under our criminal justice system.
“There is also a strong public interest element as it involves an unprovoked assault by a member of the police force upon a disabled person who was engaged in his daily occupation,” said the former MP.
Razarudin told a Malay daily yesterday that disciplinary action had already been taken against the VVIP escort policeman who was reported to have injured a disabled e-hailing driver in an assault outside The St Regis Kuala Lumpur hotel on May 28.
He added that action was taken immediately after an internal investigation by the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department in early June.
He said policemen with disciplinary problems could be punished with warnings, withholding of salary increments, suspension, and demotion.
“Apart from this, he is also being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt,” he told Berita Harian.
Meanwhile, Surendran urged the attorney general and the police to ensure the offender faced the appropriate criminal charges.
“The video evidence is available, and the identity of the suspect is known to the police; there is no reason for any further delay in delivering justice for Ong Ing Keong,” he said.
On Wednesday, Lawyers for Liberty released a dashcam video of Ong being assaulted by someone believed to be the security escort of a VIP.
Surendran said the attacker had yet to be penalised despite police claims that the investigation papers had been submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers.
In the 90-second video, Ong Ing Keong can be seen behind the wheel of his car waiting for his passenger to put a bag into the boot. A man in a suit knocks on the car window, ordering him to move the vehicle. The driver uses sign language to tell the man that he is waiting for the passenger. A few seconds later, another man in a suit appears and punches Ong. – August 15, 2024.
Update
Police escort faces disciplinary action for assault incident, says IGP
-14 Aug 2024, 08:47 PM
Razarudin Husain said the officer is also being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.
Inspector-General of police Razarudin Husain said the police will not protect officers who commit offences.
PETALING JAYA: Disciplinary action has been taken against an officer in the Johor regent’s police escort team for allegedly assaulting a disabled e-hailing driver at a hotel on May 28, says Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain.
Razarudin said this followed an internal investigation carried out in early June by Bukit Aman’s integrity and standards compliance department, Berita Harian reported.
Additionally, the officer is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt, he was quoted as saying.
He said the investigation papers were resubmitted to the deputy public prosecutor’s office on July 22 after additional instructions on the probe were received.
Razarudin was responding to the e-hailing driver’s lawyer, N Surendran, who questioned the lack of action by the police and Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).
At a press conference earlier today, Surendran said more than two months had passed without any action being taken against the suspect.
His client, Ong Ing Keong, who is deaf and mute, had filed a police report on the day of the assault and gave his statement on June 5.
Razarudin previously said police had recorded statements from a dozen individuals and that the investigation papers had been referred to the AGC.
Johor regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim had also urged police to thoroughly investigate the incident.
He maintained that he does not condone any illegal action or intimidation and called for the victim to be given justice.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14, 2024: On June 14, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Razarudin Husain said that the investigation papers on the assault of a deaf and mute Grab driver have been submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).
Two months on, no action has been taken by the AGC and neither is the AGC forthcoming on the status of the case.
It is not surprising that the AGC is sitting on case, hesitant to act, because it was a cop who allegedly punch the deaf and mute Grab driver.
So, is a cop above the law and is free to assault anyone he chooses? Where is justice for the driver?
Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) today released a dashcam footage showing the assault of deaf and mute Grab driver Ong Ing Keong on May 26.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on a media conference on the assault by LFL:
Malaysia
Lawyers release video of deaf Grab driver being assaulted
Group says move due to lack of police action in bringing perpetrator to justice.
Updated 36 minutes ago · Published on 14 Aug 2024 4:51PM
Lawyers for Liberty express their disappointment with the slow progress in bringing the suspect to justice. – Video screen grab, August 14, 2024.
by Alfian Z.M. Tahir
THE human rights group, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), today released dashcam footage showing the assault of deaf Grab driver Ong Ing Keong.
Ong's lawyer, N. Surendran, stated that they decided to release the one-minute video due to the lack of police action in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
“This press conference was unnecessary, but it had to be done because, to this day, more than two and a half months after the incident, no one has been brought to justice,” said the former PKR MP.
Surendran said that despite assurances from Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain that the investigation papers have been submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), no one has been charged with the assault.
The video, released this afternoon, clearly shows Ong being punched by a man in a suit while another man, dressed in a police uniform, stands nearby.
A hotel staff member is also heard in the video asking Ong to move his vehicle before the attacker punches him in the face.
However, the face of the attacker was not captured by the camera as the incident occurred swiftly.
Surendran expressed his disappointment with the slow progress in bringing the suspect to justice, pointing out that the police had received the same evidence a day after the attack.
“How long must the victim wait for justice to be served? It is clear as day that Ong was punched by the security escort.
“There is no doubt that a crime was committed, and it is disappointing that the police have failed to carry out their duty when the evidence is there,” said Surendran.
On 26 May, 46-year-old Ong was assaulted by a security personnel who was escorting a VVIP outside St Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur while he was waiting to pick up customers outside the lobby.
Ong alleged that a man knocked on his car window and then punched him in the face. He lodged two reports at the Brickfields police station and received treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital for a soft tissue injury.
On 31 May, the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, urged police to investigate the alleged assault, stating that he wanted justice for Ong. He added that he had instructed the police escort team to cooperate with the investigation.
Tunku Ismail also condemned attempts to drag the royal institution into the matter, stating that it was inappropriate to link the actions of external security personnel with himself and the royal institution.
Ong was summoned to Bukit Aman on 5 June to assist in a disciplinary inquiry into the incident. The case is being investigated under Section 323 for causing voluntary hurt. Ong was questioned for four hours, accompanied by lawyers and an interpreter.
On 14 June, Razarudin announced that the investigation papers had been sent to the AGC.
At today’s press conference, Ong, who was present, could not hold back his tears as he watched the incident again.
“If I am brave enough to show my face, it is the duty of the police to reveal the identity of my attacker,” Ong said. – August 14, 2024.
No comments:
Post a Comment