The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) expresses its profound concern over what appears to be a persistent neglect of critical human rights issues affecting vulnerable communities, despite the call from Suhakam and the repeated calls for action from civil society groups and the individual affected.
In particular, Suhakam alludes to the alleged complaint of assault by Ong In Keong, a ride-hailing driver and person with a disability, against a police officer. The alleged incident took place in May 2024, about four months ago.
But, sadly, until today, no prosecutorial action has been taken against the police officer.
Suhakam reiterates what we stated in our previous media statement of 16 August.
Suhakam is deeply dismayed by the deafening silence on the part of the attorney general-cum-public prosecutor on the issue of whether prosecutorial proceedings will be taken against the police officer concerned or otherwise.
If the attorney general-cum-public prosecutor takes the position that he does not intend to prosecute the police officer, he must announce it to the public stating his reasons in clear terms for the decision not to prosecute.
On the other hand, if the attorney general-cum-public prosecutor has in mind to prosecute the police officer concerned, with respect, why is he taking so long to do so, as the case is a straightforward case of assault under the Penal Code?
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The learned honourable attorney general needs no reminder that justice delayed is justice denied to Ong, the alleged victim. Under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, everyone is equal before the law and is entitled to the equal protection of the law – and this includes Ong.
We strongly repeat what we had said earlier. No person should be denied of his or her human rights, let alone a person belonging to a vulnerable community.
As this is a case of public interest involving a person with a disability, a member of a vulnerable community, the attorney general, as the guardian of the public conscience, has a constitutional and moral duty to publicly address the issue.
Good governance, the principle of transparency and the rule of law expect him to do so.
Silence is not an option on the part of the attorney general.
There should not be this public perception that the criminal justice system has been compromised or undermined.
Suhakam awaits the response of the attorney general. – Suhakam
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