LFL: Is it another black eye for Anwar, or will he stand up for Ong?

LFL: Is it another black eye for Anwar, or will he stand up for Ong?

Published: Sep 24, 2024 6:15 PM


In its quest to ensure justice is served in the case of a police personnel assaulting a hearing-impaired e-hailing driver, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has reminded Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of the injuries he sustained in 1998.

“The parallels are clear,” noted LFL director Zaid Malek in recalling the “black-eye” incident, suggesting that Ong Ing Keong’s case, if unresolved, could leave an indelible bruise on Anwar’s legacy, which is founded on the principles of reform and justice.

“In 1998, the nation was stunned by the grievous assault Anwar suffered at the hands of the then inspector-general of police Abdul Rahim Noor.

“Today the nation is shocked and disgusted by the senseless assault upon Ong (above, left), a disabled person working hard for a living.

“But Anwar himself is prime minister now; he is in a position to ensure justice. Yet there has been no justice for Ong almost four months later,” he told Malaysiakini.

Inferring that there could be attempts to cover up Ong’s case, Zaid said this happened when Anwar turned up in court with a bruised left eye, which at the time, the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said could have been self-inflicted.

“However, even in a complicated case like Anwar’s black eye, where there were clear attempts to cover up by those in the highest position within the police force, including the IGP, a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) was commenced just five months after the beating took place.

“But in this (assault on Ong) straightforward case where there is clear video evidence and the identity of the police assailant known, Ong is still pleading for justice,” he added.

Zaid said the public had rallied behind Anwar and the image of his black eye became a symbol that galvanised support, calling for reform and condemning lawlessness by the enforcement authorities.

“What happened to Ong was a classic lawless act by police personnel which should have drawn swift action by the police and attorney-general. But nothing has happened and right-thinking Malaysians are palpably disappointed and angry.

“People fought for Anwar’s rights when he was helpless; will Anwar as prime minister now stand up for Ong’s rights?” he asked.


No one above law

Zaid also reminded the prime minister of the Court of Appeal’s words in the criminal case against the former police chief who assaulted Anwar.

“When a police officer, be he of whatever rank, is found guilty of assaulting a member of the public and more so of an arrested person as in this case, the courts should send a message of the public abhorrence of such acts - by coming down hard on him,” the court had said.

LFL’s Zaid Malek


Anwar has recalled his black eye incident on numerous occasions. Even this month, the prime minister said what happened to him 26 years ago showed him that it is vital to ensure there is adequate protection for all detainees from potential abuses.

“When people talk about concerns regarding abuse and deaths in lockups, there’s no need to convince me because I know how it feels, and we feel it seems helpless when you’re assaulted to near death in the lockup,” he said on Sept 9.

Eleven days later, Anwar courted brickbats when he commented on the delay in prosecuting Ong’s assailant, saying that some cases were time-consuming.

Dashcam footage showing Ong being punched in the face


Ong, 48, was hit in the face when he was seated in his car waiting for passengers outside a hotel in Kuala Lumpur on May 28.

The assailant was a police escort for Johor Regent Tunku Ibrahim Sultan Ismail, who himself urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.