Press Statement
PM Anwar Ibrahim’s response on Ong Ing Keong’s case is contrary to good governance, evasive and fails to explain the failure to prosecute 115 days after the assault
20 September 2024
We refer to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s statement today in relation to the assault case upon deaf e-hailing driver Ong Ing Keong that the investigation process “takes time” and “is still open” and asking the public not to speculate on the matter.
This response by Anwar is contrary to good governance and utterly fails to provide an explanation to the public as to why a simple assault case has resulted in no prosecution against the suspected police personnel over the past 115 days. The suspect is identified by police and the assault has been recorded on video.
Anwar’s claim that some cases “take time” does not answer the public concern. This is not a complicated murder case or a mega-financial scandal that it requires so much time.
Anwar appears to have no answers, but only evasions.
It is undeniable fact that the Inspector General of Police (“IGP”) has stated that investigation has been completed and the investigation papers have been given to the Attorney General’s Chambers, first on 5.6.2024, and a second time on 27.7.2024. All the evidence of the assault, which is Ong Ing Keong’s dashcam video, has also already been given to the authorities from the very beginning of the investigation.
It is because of this that there has been widespread public concern that the VVIP police escort responsible for the assault was not brought to Court to face criminal charges. It is audacious for the PM to then ask people to abstain from speculating on the matter when the failure to prosecute despite clear evidence is obvious to everyone.
The PM has failed to grasp the gravity that the failure to prosecute has upon the public confidence in our criminal justice system. His flippant response has only generated more questions.
In cases involving draconian laws such as the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act, cases are investigated, prosecuted and sentenced at breakneck speed. Why not in Ong Ing Keong’s case?
It is not enough for the PM to brush off the matter. As the head of government and leader of the executive body, he has the responsibility to ensure that the rule of law is upheld. The administration of justice is not done behind closed doors, and as such the public is entitled to scrutinise the actions of the authorities and the government. Public concern on the delay in Ong Ing Keong’s assault case cannot be dismissed as mere impatience; it is the expression of discontent of the justice system and is about whether or not the law is applied equally, without fear or favour.
The PM must therefore give clear reasons why there is such a delay in Ong Ing Keong’s case. He must also remember that the issue is not only the delay in the prosecution of the VVIP police escort, but also to investigate and explain how the alleged palace representative was allowed by the police to pressure Ong Ing Keong to drop the case.
Ong Ing Keong deserves to have justice, which he has so long been denied of, and the members of the public are entitled to assurance that the rule of law is upheld in the administration of justice in our country.
Issued by:
Zaid Malek
Lawyer for Ong Ing Keong & Director of Lawyers for Liberty