In May 2024, a hearing-impaired OKU (person with disabilities) e-hailing driver was allegedly assaulted by a bodyguard accompanying Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur.
We previously reported that the victim had lodged a police report with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) over the incident, but later decided to withdraw the case.
OKU e-hailing driver files lawsuit against PDRM and the government
In a recent development, Ong Ing Keong has filed a civil lawsuit at the High Court on 10 July over the alleged assault, as well as the claimed improper handling of the police report he lodged.
According to Harian Metro, in his statement of claim, Ong said the incident happened on 28 May 2024 when he was picking up four passengers outside a hotel in KL Sentral.
He claimed that while his passengers were still inside the vehicle, several individuals instructed him to move his car. After the passengers had entered and he was about to drive away, Muhammad Taufik, the first defendant who was dressed in plain clothes, allegedly punched him in the face through the driver’s side window without warning.
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Ong also claimed that the alleged assault left him with facial pain, soft tissue injuries and bruising on his upper lip, adding that the incident was captured on his vehicle’s dashcam.
He said that after lodging a police report and seeking treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL), he was asked to return to the Travers District Police Headquarters (IPD). There, his mobile phone was allegedly taken after police viewed the footage from his dashcam.
Ong claimed that he was told his phone would only be returned if he withdrew his police report and deleted the video recording of the alleged incident.
Ong claimed that he was not provided with a sign language interpreter
Ong claimed that his mobile phone, which he relied on as his main means of communication, was withheld for several hours. He also alleged that he was not provided with a sign language interpreter, transcription services, or translation assistance despite being registered as an OKU.
He further claimed that his movements at the police station were restricted and that he was pressured by the second defendant, Hashimi, to withdraw his police report and settle the matter by accepting RM800 in compensation.
Ong said he eventually agreed out of concern that his phone would not be returned, but later informed the police the following day that he wanted the investigation to continue.
Through the lawsuit, Ong is seeking damages over the alleged assault, negligence, abuse of power in public office, and breach of statutory duties under the Police Act and the Persons with Disabilities Act.
He is also seeking aggravated damages, exemplary damages, interest, legal costs, and any other relief the court deems appropriate.
Previously, on 4 November 2024, the Magistrate’s Court fined Muhammad Taufik RM1,000, or 20 days in prison if he failed to pay, after he pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt to Ong.
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