Group Launches Online Petition Demanding Justice For Deaf Driver

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Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing National Organisation (Dawn) has launched an online petition demanding justice for the driver Ong Ing Keong, who was allegedly assaulted by a police officer on May 28 while escorting a member of Johor royalty.
The group demanded immediate prosecution against the officer implicated and an independent inquiry into the alleged mishandling of the case.
It also urged the attorney-general and the prime minister to give a clear explanation for the lack of action over the case.
It also called for the legal rights of people with disabilities to be safeguarded, especially in facing systemic barriers to accessing justice.
“Ong’s case is not only a fight for individual justice but also a critical moment in addressing systemic challenges faced by deaf persons, the disabled community and other vulnerable communities in accessing justice in Malaysia […]
“We urge individuals and organisations worldwide to endorse this petition and bring attention to this crucial case,” the petition reads.
Dubious circusmtances
The petition was published on the website Change.org at about 5pm today, according to the webpage’s metadata. It had just crossed the 200-signature milestone at 7pm.
Ong, 48, was hit in the face when he was seated in his car waiting for passengers outside a hotel in Kuala Lumpur on May 28.
The alleged assailant was a police escort for Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who himself urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.
At a press conference later, Ong claimed that a “palace representative” was present at the police station and the latter had offered him a compensation of RM800 to settle the matter, and if he did not accept, his mobile phone would be confiscated.
Ong said he took the compensation offer under duress because he needed the phone for work and to communicate with his family.
Dawn claimed that Ong had lodged a total of four police reports over the incident, three of which were prepared by the police.
The police confirmed that the investigation papers were submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, first on June 5 and then again on July 27.
Despite the incident being caught on camera, there have been no developments on charges against the assailant. - Mkini

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