Deaf driver: No politician called, visited or offered help

Deaf driver: No politician called, visited or offered help

RK Anand & B Nantha Kumar
Published: Oct 28, 2024 6:50 PM


In the not-too-distant past, Pakatan Harapan politicians, who were regarded as the defenders of the underdogs, would have barked round the clock for justice to be served and for heads to roll over the delay.

However, there has not been a whimper in the case of Ong Ing Keong, who is still waiting for the police officer who assaulted him outside the St Regis hotel in Kuala Lumpur on May 28 to be hauled to court.

Asked if he felt disappointed with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his administration, the deaf e-hailing driver answered in the affirmative.

“No (politician) invited me (to speak about the case), called or visited me. Zero.

“Nobody offered assistance. Not even a text message (in support). Nothing happened,” he told Malaysiakini through a sign language interpreter.

Ong was also upset that Anwar, when quizzed on his assault, said that certain cases were time-consuming.

“This is all just talk. The case is clear-cut. Evidence (a dashcam recording of the assault) has been given (to the authorities). All the proof has been shown. But there is no outcome.

“It is taking a long time. The case is not closed (either). They are not doing anything but just keeping the case open. Why?” he asked.



Asked if he had a message for Anwar since the prime minister too had been a victim of injustice and assault, Ong said: “Whether I am deaf or otherwise. We are both Malaysians.”

“I am asking for (Anwar’s) help to solve this case because it has been five months… My hope is that the prime minister will do something about it,” he added.

Ong, 48, was assaulted while he was seated in his car waiting for passengers outside the hotel when Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim was also present at the venue.

His assailant was part of the regent’s security detail. The latter has also called for a thorough investigation and justice to be served.

The incident was caught on a dashcam recording, which has been submitted to the police and the Prime Minister’s Office.

The police submitted their investigation papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers twice - on June 5 and July 27 - but there has been no development since then.