19 August 2024
Project Stability and Accountability for Malaysia (Projek SAMA) stands in solidarity with e-hailing driver Ong Ing Keong to demand justice that the police escort personnel who assaulted him on 28 May be charged accordingly. Ong, who is deaf, suffered pains and emotional trauma as a result of the incident.
Ong lodged a police report and submitted the video recording for investigation. However, 83 days have passed (from 28 May to 19 August), there is still no action to prosecute the assailant. The Attorney General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin bin Mohd Salleh’s failure to do so without any explanation is an affront to the rule of law.
It would appear to be an unscrupulous attempt for impunity by way of procrastination counting on the public’s amnesia.
In a democracy, no one is above the law. The Attorney General is duty bound to act and apply the laws fairly and equitably. In this case, by delaying justice, the AG is bringing disrepute to key state institutions: the AGC, the Police, the Prime Minister who recommends appointment and dismissal of AG, and the Palace.
Projek SAMA is further appalled by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain’s double jeopardy argument. Double jeopardy only applies when a person is tried for the same criminal offence twice. Here, the police personnel is, according to the IGP, subject to internal disciplinary action for failure to disclose his assets, whereas in Ong’s case, he is involved in voluntarily causing hurt which is an offence punishable under the Penal Code.
In the interest of justice, Projek SAMA calls for the AG to act immediately, as justice delayed is justice denied. In the meantime, the police personnel shall be suspended immediately until the case is over.
