KUALA LUMPUR – DAP lawmaker Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka-PH) has urged the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to investigate the incident where a disabled e-hailing driver was supposedly pressured by police to retract a report on his alleged assault.
In his debate on Suhakam’s annual report in the Dewan Rakyat today, Khoo referenced a May 28 incident where the deaf driver, Ong Ing Keong, claimed he was punched by a VVIP’s bodyguard, who is believed to have been a member of the police force.
“The incident saw police officers attempting to persuade the victim to withdraw his report,” the Melaka DAP chairman alleged.
“A comprehensive investigation must be conducted into the matter and legal action should be taken if any police officers are found to have misused their power. This will ensure that justice is upheld, especially for the victim.”
Khoo also reiterated that the incident highlighted a need for the government to consider the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
Political parties, such as PKR Youth and Muda, had previously pressed the government to form the IPCMC, saying the assault raised concerns on the police force’s integrity and eroded public trust in authorities.
The Independent Police Conduct Commission Act 2020, which was passed in Parliament in July 2022, has been criticised as being a toothless replacement for the IPCMC bill, which the first Pakatan Harapan administration put forward in 2019.
On June 5, it was reported that police had referred their investigation paper into Ong’s assault at the St Regis Hotel here to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
On the same day, Ong was summoned by Bukit Aman to assist the police integrity and standards compliance department’s investigation into his earlier ordeal at the Brickfields police station, where he claims he was discouraged from pushing ahead with his report.
Ong’s lawyer, N. Surendran, said during questioning, officers hinted that the alleged suspect in the assault case may have been from the police force.
During a previous press conference, Ong said when he went to file a report at the police station, a representative from the palace was present and offered compensation to end the matter.
The bodyguard being investigated is reportedly a member of the security detail of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail, who has called for a thorough investigation, urging authorities to give the victim justice.
The crown prince has also said the bodyguard involved is from the police force. – June 27, 2024