POLICE in Penang have reached a dead end in their probe into the brutal assault of a Bayan Baru-based lawyer along the Karpal Singh Drive earlier this week.
The law enforcers are now seeking assistance from the public, who may have witnessed or have information on Tuesday’s incident when the 37-year-old victim was ambushed by two attackers, who assaulted him with metal rods, leaving the lawyer with serious head and knee injuries.
The incident happened across a Coffee Bean outlet near the esplanade around 10 am.
In a series of interviews, George Town acting district police head Lee Swee Sake said that police believe that the assailants were hired and the mastermind is on the loose.
This came as the suspects escaped in a vehicle with false plates.
Police are seeking a motive and anyone with information on the case has been urged to contact the police.
As the victim remains in hospital, police have zeroed in on his firm and the cases under him.
Currently, police are trying to establish a motive and the investigation was opened under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.
Earlier, the Bar Council condemned the assault of the young lawyer.
“The Malaysian Bar is shocked and angered by the recent, brutal assault of a member of the Penang Bar, which occurred on Oct 22 in broad daylight along Karpal Singh Drive.
“This premeditated ambush is not only an attack on the individual but also an assault on the rule of law,” Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said in a statement.
The Penang Bar committee has reported that the lawyer had no known personal disputes, so it was likely that the attack was “related to his role in upholding justice”.
Ezri called this an attack on all members of the legal profession and a direct challenge to the principles the Bar stood for.
“The Malaysian Bar strongly condemns this cowardly and reprehensible assault. Lawyers are officers of the court, committed to serving justice, and must be able to carry out their duties without fear of violence or intimidation,” he said.
He added that any grievance against a lawyer should be addressed through lawful channels, and not by resorting to barbaric acts of aggression.
Ezri called for the police and authorities to take immediate and decisive action to investigate the assault and ensure that justice was served. - October 26, 2024.
