PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is concerned about Attorney General Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh’s seeming lack of response regarding the complaint made by a deaf ehailing driver on allegedly being assaulted by a police officer.
“The alleged incident occurred in May 2024, about four months ago.
“Unfortunately, no prosecutorial action has been taken against the police officer,” it said.
Suhakam added that the lack of action causes concern over what it labelled as “persistent neglect” of critical human rights issues affecting vulnerable communities.
“If the Attorney General, who is also the Public Prosecutor, takes the position that he does not intend to prosecute the said police officer, he must announce it to the public, stating his reasons in clear terms behind the decision not to prosecute.
“The learned honourable Attorney General needs no reminder that justice delayed is justice denied.
“Under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, everyone is equal before the law and is entitled to equal protection.
“Silence is not an option on the part of the AG,” Suhakam said in a statement.
On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim denied that police had closed the investigation into the case.He said the public should give space to police to investigate, which “may take some time”.
Earlier this month, the media reported that nearly 200 people representing groups of disabled people, activists and non-governmental organisations, as well as ehailing workers, called for the Prime Minister’s intervention.
They claimed that no action had been taken against the party that ordered the driver, Ong Ing Keong, to retract his report.
Ong, 48, claimed that he was beaten by an escort officer of a distinguished entourage in the lobby of a hotel in the capital in May on the grounds of blocking the route of the entourage.
