Malaysia

E-hailing driver assaulted by Johor Regent’s security detail wants justice, no settlement say lawyers

The Victim is set to give another statement to police on Saturday.

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 31 May 2024 6:36PM

E-hailing driver assaulted by Johor Regent’s security detail wants justice, no settlement say lawyers
From left layer N Surendran, Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek, Latheefa Koya and victim Ong Ing Keong.– May 31, 2024.

by Noel Achariam

There is no amicable settlement on the alleged assault of an e-hailing driver last Monday by a police security escort for the Johor Regent, say his lawyers.

They said the victim , Ong Ing Keong, wants justice and is set to give another statement to police on Saturday.

Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said that no one has been arrested or identified thus far.

"What we heard in the media is that he (Ong) wants to settle this and to move on but that’s not the case.

"The police have called him tomorrow to give his statement to assist with the investigation.

"We will be accompanying him tomorrow. We want the police to carry on with the investigation (wait to conclude) before looking at any legal options," she said at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today organised by Lawyers for Liberty.

Latheefa said that lawyer N Surendran, Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek will be representing the victim Ong Ing Keong.

Earlier today Inspector General of Police Razarudin Husain said Bukit Aman will summon all officers involved in investigating the case of a disabled man allegedly assaulted by a police security escort.

He said all those involved in the earlier investigation will have their statements recorded.

“The priority of every probe is to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable for their actions.

“And we will take strict action against any officers found guilty,” Razarudin said in a statement.

Separately, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has hit out at attempts to link the royal institution to the alleged assault of an e-hailing driver.

"I do not condone any illegal action or intimidation. I urge the authorities to investigate thoroughly the incident where a police officer escort is alleged to have committed a harmful act.

“I hope the authorities will take action in accordance with the law and give the victim justice,” he said on X.

On Wednesday, police confirmed that the case involving Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim’s bodyguard, who allegedly assaulted a disabled man at a hotel, was amicably resolved.

Latheefa said that the victim wanted to clear the air on what had been happening.

"News reports quoting authorities say there was an amicable settlement and that he (Ong) wanted to move on.

"We want to highlight that he is still interested in seeking justice and wants the investigation to continue."

Ong gave his version of events today.

He claimed to have accepted RM800 from a wakil istana (palace representative) as settlement when he went to lodge a police report.

"After lodging the report, the police said that a palace representative was coming.

"I then asked  (the place representative) where the person that hit me was and he said the person was working."

Ong claimed that the palace representative gave him two choices, which was to retract  the case and they will return his phone or go to court.

"The representative said they will pay for hospital treatment or go to court over the matter.

"I wanted the handphone, so I decided to drop the case. The officer then asked how much I wanted in compensation.

"They asked me to settle, and I asked for RM1,000. The place representative then gave RM800."

Ong said that he wants fairness and justice in his case.– May 31, 2024.


 

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