KUALA LUMPUR – Police have almost completed investigations into the alleged assault by a VVIP’s bodyguard on a deaf e-hailing driver, lawyer N. Surendran said.
“The police confirmed that investigations are ongoing and are about 80% complete.
“They said the investigation papers will be forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Chambers next week,” Surendran told reporters at the Brickfields police headquarters here today.
Also present were the victim, Ong Ing Keong and his friend, Pong Chang Khim, who gave police their statements on the assault on May 28 outside the St Regis Hotel, here.
Surendran, who was with Ong while the latter had his statement recorded, said that police questioned him about the assault and his immediate visit to the police station afterwards, where he was offered compensation to drop the case.
The lawyer said the police did not suggest who the perpetrator might be, but mentioned that several individuals have come forward to give statements.
“There were questions about the representative from the palace, too.
“All I can say is that during the recording of the statement, they asked questions about the assault and the initial visit to the police station.
“What they intend to do with the information, we don’t know,” Surendran added.
Yesterday, during a press conference at the Lawyers for Liberty office, Ong admitted to being an assault victim by a bodyguard of a prominent VVIP at the St Regis Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, on May 28.
He told the press that when he went to file a report at the police station the same day, a representative from the palace was present and offered compensation to end the matter.
The bodyguard being investigated is a member of the security detail of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail, who has called for a thorough investigation, urging the authorities to give the victim justice. The crown prince said the escort is from the police force.
The alleged assault was confirmed a day after the incident by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
He said an investigation paper had been opened under Section 323 of the Penal Code on voluntarily causing hurt.
There was initially confusion over the case after KL police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the victim had lodged a second police report to state that the matter had been settled and that he did not wish to prolong the issue.
However, Rusdi later said the matter is still under investigation. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain promised a thorough probe and no compromise for the perpetrator if found guilty. – June 1, 2024