DEAF Advocacy and Well-being National Organisation Malaysia (Dawn) has expressed concern over the alleged assault of a deaf e-hailing driver on May 28 and demanded to know why the alleged offender has not been charged.
Its chairman Anthony Chong told the attorney-general to expedite the prosecution as investigation papers from the police were received over a month ago.
“We demand justice. The deaf community may lack legal knowledge, but we refuse to be exploited.
“We may be deaf, but we are not silent. We deserve to live decently and not be forgotten,” Chong was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
He handed a memorandum on the matter to a representative of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) in Putrajaya today.
On May 28, Ong Ing Keong lodged a police report alleging he was assaulted by the driver of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim while waiting for a customer at the St Regis Hotel lobby in KL Sentral.
On June 5, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the cops had completed the investigation after taking down the statements of 12 people, including the victim, hotel workers, and the regent’s entourage.
Apart from the assault, there were some alleged irregularities in how the police handled Ong’s report.
Ong had allegedly asked for RM1,000 as compensation but the representative of his attacker offered him RM500 instead as he had the cash available. Several counteroffers were made until they finally agreed on RM800.
Chong urged the AGC to take immediate and decisive action by prosecuting the alleged offender.
“By doing so, the AGC will reinforce its commitment to justice and equality, ensuring that the deaf community feels safe and supported by the legal system.” – July 19, 2024.
