A video circulating on social media shows a balloon vendor and DBKL enforcers in a scuffle at Jalan TAR, where the vendor was apparently pinned down after refusing to surrender his balloons. – Screengrab, March 29, 2025
Are chokeholds on small vendors part of DBKL’s enforcement SOP?: Akmal Saleh
Umno Youth chief says even though balloon seller defied orders, officers went too far
Scoop Reporters
Updated 1 hour ago
29 March, 2025
7:01 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR — Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) must explain why its enforcement officer used a chokehold on a balloon vendor who refused to comply with orders, Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said, accusing the city council of excessive force on a harmless man.
Although the man was in the wrong for selling balloons on a congested five-foot way without a license, Akmal said his violation did not given DBKL the right to use such force as seen in a viral video of the altercation which took place on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) yesterday.
“It is not a license to enforcement officers to treat the balloon brother as they did in the video. He was just one man against several enforcement officers.
“The use of a chokehold with elbow, all that is in the video; is it in DBKL’s standard operating procedures, too?” Akmal said in a Facebook post.
“Was balloon brother carrying a dangerous weapon that he needed to be treated like this?
“While the country has laws that people must obey, enforcement methods also have SOPs and laws that must be followed,” the Merlimau assemblyman added.
Akmal was responding to DBKL’s statement to explain its actions against the balloon vendor following public outcry. The local authority said an internal investigation would be conducted on the officers involved, including a review of its SOP for enforcement actions.
DBKL also said the balloon vendor had been given two warnings by an enforcement officer against hawking his goods at an area which obstructed foot traffic, but he disregarded instructions. The situation escalated after a third warning when he reacted aggressively, including physical contact against the officer.
Plainclothes enforcement personnel then intervened to calm the vendor and separate him from further assaulting the officer, the local authority added.
Meanwhile, DAP politician and former Klang MP Charles Santiago accused DBKL of lacking discretion and preferring to use “heavy-handed tactics” instead, saying this further marginalised people struggling to make a living.
“The aggressive apprehension of an unlicensed balloon seller by DBKL officers is yet another example of the authorities’ misplaced priorities and abuse of power.
“This culture of intimidation must end. The officers involved should be suspended pending an independent investigation, and DBKL must undergo serious reforms, including sensitivity training, to ensure enforcement is carried out with empathy, not brutality.
“DBKL should focus on facilitating livelihoods, not destroying them. A compassionate approach, such as more designated zones for small traders or temporary permits, would be far more effective than ruthless enforcement,” Santiago said.
The incident has drawn criticism from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary, Kamil Munim, who called DBKL’s actions unacceptable.
Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also expressed sadness at the actions of the officers, urging local authorities to be more compassionate and considerate in accommodating small businesses. – March 29, 2025
Are chokeholds on small vendors part of DBKL’s enforcement SOP?: Akmal Saleh
Umno Youth chief says even though balloon seller defied orders, officers went too far
Scoop Reporters
Updated 1 hour ago
29 March, 2025
7:01 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR — Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) must explain why its enforcement officer used a chokehold on a balloon vendor who refused to comply with orders, Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said, accusing the city council of excessive force on a harmless man.
Although the man was in the wrong for selling balloons on a congested five-foot way without a license, Akmal said his violation did not given DBKL the right to use such force as seen in a viral video of the altercation which took place on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) yesterday.
“It is not a license to enforcement officers to treat the balloon brother as they did in the video. He was just one man against several enforcement officers.
“The use of a chokehold with elbow, all that is in the video; is it in DBKL’s standard operating procedures, too?” Akmal said in a Facebook post.
“Was balloon brother carrying a dangerous weapon that he needed to be treated like this?
“While the country has laws that people must obey, enforcement methods also have SOPs and laws that must be followed,” the Merlimau assemblyman added.
Akmal was responding to DBKL’s statement to explain its actions against the balloon vendor following public outcry. The local authority said an internal investigation would be conducted on the officers involved, including a review of its SOP for enforcement actions.
DBKL also said the balloon vendor had been given two warnings by an enforcement officer against hawking his goods at an area which obstructed foot traffic, but he disregarded instructions. The situation escalated after a third warning when he reacted aggressively, including physical contact against the officer.
Plainclothes enforcement personnel then intervened to calm the vendor and separate him from further assaulting the officer, the local authority added.
Meanwhile, DAP politician and former Klang MP Charles Santiago accused DBKL of lacking discretion and preferring to use “heavy-handed tactics” instead, saying this further marginalised people struggling to make a living.
“The aggressive apprehension of an unlicensed balloon seller by DBKL officers is yet another example of the authorities’ misplaced priorities and abuse of power.
“This culture of intimidation must end. The officers involved should be suspended pending an independent investigation, and DBKL must undergo serious reforms, including sensitivity training, to ensure enforcement is carried out with empathy, not brutality.
“DBKL should focus on facilitating livelihoods, not destroying them. A compassionate approach, such as more designated zones for small traders or temporary permits, would be far more effective than ruthless enforcement,” Santiago said.
The incident has drawn criticism from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary, Kamil Munim, who called DBKL’s actions unacceptable.
Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also expressed sadness at the actions of the officers, urging local authorities to be more compassionate and considerate in accommodating small businesses. – March 29, 2025
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kt remarks:
While on the surface the criticisms against DBKL enforcement officers seem appropriate, I also urge the critics to consider that some vendors could have been recalcitrant thugs - what then would the enforcement officers do? Go away with tail between their legs?
Recalcitrant thugs r bane of daily existence. Civilized action against their behavior is the rightful approach. Using bruTe force against them is against the nature of law, especially enforcing agents tasked to keep the law.
ReplyDeleteBut how many of these gaji buta civil servants know their limits & laws?
So much white noises against an commonly occurring enforcement tactic of the local civil personnel.
ReplyDeleteCase could be even teruk but NFA & noise if the seller is a Non!
Frankly, many hawkers have total disregard for laws and regulations.
ReplyDelete