A deaf e-hailing driver who was assaulted by a security detail personnel last Monday wants justice and rejects any compensation, said his lawyers.

One of his lawyers, Latheefa Koya, told a press conference today that no one has been arrested over the incident.

This comes just as Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said Bukit Aman will summon all officers involved in investigating the case to ensure a thorough investigation.

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

Earlier today, Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Mohd Isa said investigation into the alleged assault was still going despite earlier reports that the case was “settled” after the victim allegedly accepted RM800 from a representative of the assailant.

Latheefa meanwhile said the victim did not agree to settle 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 any at legal options,” she said at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.

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

Earlier today, 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 Tunku Ismail’s bodyguard, who allegedly assaulted a disabled man at a hotel, has been amicably resolved.

Kuala Lumpur police said that was done after they received another report from the complainant late yesterday stating that the matter had resolved the matter amicably, and the victim did not want to prolong the case.

The Malaysian Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing Organisation (DAWN) in a statement yesterday said it was alarming that the victim was allegedly pressured to settle the case for RM800.

“The victim said he felt pressured to drop the case and be compensated for his injuries instead of pursuing the matter which would see his mobile phone confiscated,” Dawn had said.

“He was told that if he were to proceed with the case, his mobile phone would be confiscated, but if he were to drop it, he would be compensated for his injuries.

“The question remains: how is the phone related to the assault incident?”

The victim had lodged a police report after he alleged he was assaulted at the hotel entrance as the VIP’s convoy was leaving.

Victim’s version

The victim, 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 who 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.