Netizens aghast at demeanour of Pahang Sultan’s nephew charged with knife attack
TRENDING online at the moment is news that the Pahang ruler’s 20-year-old nephew Tengku Eddie Akasya Tengku Abd Rahman along with four others have been charged with attacking a construction worker with a knife under Section 324 of the Penal Code.
The incident which left 44-year-old road construction worker Alias Awang wheelchair bound nursing his wound from being stabbed and shot at happened on June 6 in a stable in Kuantan.
While Pahang’s Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah has himself called for justice to be served, many netizens openly questioned if this was possible given the high profile, notably the accused’s royalty status.
Alas, some seem to take the presumption of guilt based on the accused’s demeanour, style and looks.
This sentiment was repeated by a social media influencer JalalMisai (@jllmisai) who seemed to take exception to the young man’s stance and body language when coming to answer the serious charges.
Datang mahkamah siap berkot bertali leher, jalan berkepak.. Padahal datang atas kesalahan tikam orang awam.. Eksyen sungguh budak ni..
“Come to the court ready in a coat and tie, and walking as if nothing had happened when, in fact, he was accused of stabbing a civilian. This boy certainly is a show-off,” observed JalalMisai.
“Whatever it is, hopefully justice will be served. This case involves a high-profile individual. Even the Pahang Crown Prince has also requested the police to take strict action against the guilty parties.”
A few comments also reflected this sentiment.
One commented with disdain the casual manner in which the young man seemed to be treating the entire episode.
Some netizens made light of the situation saying that the barber of this young royal should also be made to answer for crimes against fashion.
Jokes aside, the many negative sentiments are reflective of the rakyat’s perception of the justice system, especially when it involves progeny of high-profile politicians and royalty.
Some did ask why the absence of handcuffs? If the scenario was reversed whereby a commoner was accused of stabbing a royal, would that be the case?
The cynicism is tangible with one netizen’s observations summing up the mood of many.
While the Pahang Crown Prince has called for transparency and there is obviously a need for a fair trial, the public sentiment seems to indicate that many do not think this will happen.
Some have alluded that there is one set of rules for commoners and another for those with connections which many pointing out (fairly or unfairly) to manifest itself in the young man’s demeanour.
While not calling for this young royal to be made an example of as there is a presumption of innocence (hairstyles be damned), it is time for the authorities to show that justice is indeed, blind.
Otherwise, respect and belief in the justice system will continue to erode. – Nov 8, 2024
Same same outcome vis-a-vis the attack on the deaf driver by a royal outrider!
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