Five months on, Ong is disheartened but not defeated

Five months on, Ong is disheartened but not defeated

RK Anand & B Nantha Kumar
Published: Oct 28, 2024 5:08 PM


Five months have passed since he was assaulted and Ong Ing Keong is still waiting for justice. He is disappointed, but not defeated.

“I will continue this fight,” he stressed through a sign language interpreter when asked if he felt like throwing in the towel.

“I will wait until I get an answer or until the person who hit me is arrested. I am willing to wait for as long as it takes,” he told Malaysiakini.

Responding to a question, Ong, 48, believes that the authorities could be dragging their feet because there is a “VVIP” involved and the assailant is a police officer.

“I suspect there could be a cover-up, but I am not giving up,” he reiterated.

On May 28, Ong (above) was beaten outside the St Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur as the e-hailing driver was seated in his vehicle waiting for passengers.

The police officer, who was captured in a dashcam recording smacking Ong in the face, was part of the security detail for Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim who was at the same venue.

On May 31, Tunku Ismail, who was informed of the incident a day after, said he had immediately urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation.

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

Ong, who lost his only child a month before the incident, shared that his wife, who is also deaf, told him not to capitulate as well.

“She agrees with me and tells me that we have to stay patient (for justice),” he added.

Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim

When pointed out that no charge has been proffered against the assailant despite Tunku Ismail himself asking for justice to be served, Ong said he felt disheartened over this as well.

“I would like to appeal to His Highness again for fairness and justice,” he added.

No reason not to prosecute suspect

Various quarters, including former law minister Zaid Ibrahim and deputy law minister Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, have pointed out that the case is “clear-cut” and there is no reason the suspect should not be hauled to court.


The delay has led to speculations of interference, prompting Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), which is representing Ong, to call for the formation of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI).

The e-hailing driver also thanked the public for their support in inking an online petition which demanded justice for him and protection for the deaf community.

“I am grateful. This is the alternative for me to get fair justice,” he said.