According to DAWN, quoted by local media platform The Vibes, the victim was allegedly pressured to settle the case for RM800 (US$170.00).
In its statement, DAWN also alleged that the driver was asked to return to the police station after he was treated at the hospital during which he was asked to surrender his phone.
“The victim received no explanation for the phone inspection or the prolonged retention of his phone, and was treated as if he were a suspect,” the statement said.
The deaf advocacy body added that the driver then requested his phone be returned to him for him to make a short text and video call to his wife, but this was declined.
“On what grounds was the victim’s mobile phone retained for police investigation? His privacy should have been fully respected, as he was the victim in this case,” it added.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Isa, quoted in local media, said the complainant made a second police report on the evening of May 28, stating that the matter had been resolved amicably.
Tunku Ismail said that he was informed of the incident on Wednesday and had urged the Royal Malaysian Police’s security escort team to cooperate with investigations.
“I do not condone any illegal action or intimidation. I urge the authorities to investigate thoroughly the incident where a police officer escort is alleged to have committed a harmful act. I hope the authorities will take action in accordance with the law and give the victim justice,” wrote Tunku Ismail.
“With this, I urge all quarters to allow the authorities to carry out the investigation. I am also aware that there is a movement to drag the royal institution by using this incident, but to link the actions of an external security personnel with myself and the entire royal institution is uncalled for,” he added.
Tunku Ismail was appointed Johor regent at the end of January after his father ascended the throne to become Malaysia’s Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year term.
Prior to Tunku Ismail’s social media post on the incident, Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament Hassan Abdul Karim issued a statement, in which he claimed that the police should have continued with investigations because it had received a first information report which was lodged.
The Parti Keadilan politician, who is also a criminal defence lawyer, added that since the crime being alleged is physical assault which falls under the penal code, it is the police’s duty to call up the alleged assailant for questioning.
“The police need to open an investigation paper and record the assailant’s statement under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC),” he claimed.
The opposition coalition in the federal government Perikatan Nasional (PN) also issued a statement in support of Mr Hassan calling for police to proceed with investigations.
“The principles of the rule of law and the role of authorities as protectors of public interest must be upheld and seen to be practised in all circumstances, regardless of the position, influence, or status of the parties involved,” said PN’s chief whip Takiyudin Hassan.
“PN believes that issues such as selective prosecution, favouritism, cronyism, institutional bullying, the idea of ‘big fish and small fry’ and others have long corrupted public discourse without definitive resolution. These issues also colour almost the entire landscape and climate of our politics, including the country’s image in the eyes of the world,” he added.
CNA has reached out to the Royal Malaysia Police to clarify if further action will be taken on the member of the police escort team who allegedly committed the assault and whether they are proceeding with investigations.
