PMX’s politics of avoidance rears its ugly head in assault of disabled Grab driver

Focus Malaysia:

PMX’s politics of avoidance rears its ugly head in assault of disabled Grab driver

By Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy

IS IT surprising that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) has not said anything about the alleged assault of a disabled Grab driver at the entrance of the Regis Hotel on May 28?

Apparently, the assault was committed by a security personnel of the security escort team of the Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

There were also apparently four police reports on the matter. However, only the contents of two reports are readily known.

The first report was lodged by the deaf-mute driver Ong Ing Keong, 46 at 1pm on May 28 with the second report to withdraw the first report in favour of an amicable settlement was lodged at 9.59pm on the same day.

Apparently, the second, third and fourth report was prepared by the police and signed by the complainant, Ong. Both the second and third report were also filed on May 28 with the fourth report on May 29 (the following day).

The signing of the second report was together with the financial settlement of RM800 as a compensation for the assault. Apparently, the offer was made by the representative of the Johor palace.

(Editor’s Note: Ong alongside his lawyers N. Surendran and Lawyers for Liberty [LFL] director Zaid Malek and LFL adviser Latheefa Koya spent three hours at the Brickfields district police headquarters this afternoon [June 1] to give their statement.)

The alleged assailant was not present in the police station when the amicable settlement was reached. It was the threat of the seizure of Ong’s hand phone that prompted the settlement.

However, things took a different turn when the disabled driver appeared at the media conference organised by the Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) and the Malaysian Deaf Advocate and Well-being Organisation (DAWN) at the former’s office in Petaling Jaya yesterday (May 31).

In the media conference, Ong conveyed his message that was interpreted by DAWN secretary-general Anthony Chong that he – in no uncertain terms – was allegedly assaulted by the security personnel of the royal security team.

He never wanted to compromise but was forced to do so by the police personnel who took his report and later the other report in favour of a settlement.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of the Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has assured the public that the police will haul up the security personnel for a thorough investigation of the alleged assault.

Tunku Ismail upon hearing the news of the alleged assault has ordered his security personnel to cooperate with the police in their investigations. His Highness regretted that there were attempts to drag and smear the good name of the royalty.

Ong Ing Keong (second from left) relates his ordeal during the media conference by organised by the Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) and the Malaysian Deaf Advocate and Well-being Organisation (DAWN) yesterday (May 31). With him is LFL’s adviser Latheefa Koya (left).

PMX’s deafening silence

The alleged assault of the grab driver seems to be a significant national news apart from the DRT award controversy.

Yet, despite the bad publicity involving the security personnel of the royal security team, Anwar is as usual engaging in avoidance politics. He wants no part in the 3Rs (royalty, race and religion) issue.

As pointed out in the statement by the IGP, the atter of assault was not related to the royalty as it was carried out by one security personnel attached to the police escort team.

Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy

Since Tunku Ismail has given the green light for a thorough investigation by the police, why is there a deafening silence from Anwar on the matter?

If the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad been in power, what would he have done? Will he observe the same deafening silence as Anwar?

While the police will have to conduct their investigations whether they like it or not, a firm statement from Anwar would embolden the police to be more effective in their investigation.

Without a firm political leadership, the police might find it difficult to functioning effectively especially on matters that might touch tangentially on the royalty.

What is Anwar afraid of? Why is he continuously failing the country in giving a firm uncompromising leadership?

He did the similar thing when the sock-gate matter cropped up. He failed to reprimand or discipline the defiant y UMNO Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

In the recent case of the direct responsive transit (DRT) award, he merely asked the authorities to investigate even though the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had a different opinion on the matter.

A PM has a pivotal role to play in managing and controlling the situation in the country. This is to ensure that no groups or individuals take advantage to create chaos and disorder in the country.

Unfortunately, when a crises situation unfolds in the country, Anwar puts up with a non-performing act. It seems Anwar prefers to engage in the politics of avoidance more than anything else. – June 1, 2024




Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.