My Backbone Is Broken Tok Balloon Vendor Recounts Ordeal

---

 


A balloon vendor involved in a scuffle with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement personnel has shared his side of the story.
Appearing in a video call with Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and an aide to opposition leader Shahidan Kassim, the vendor, known as "Abang Belon" on social media, struggled to hold back his emotions as he recounted the incident.
“Patah tulang belakang, tok (My backbone is broken, tok),” he told Akmal in a trembling voice from his hospital bed.
However, another person in the video suggested that he may have suffered a hip fracture instead.
DBKL, in an earlier statement, claimed that the altercation began when the unlicensed vendor pushed an enforcement officer and refused to leave despite obstructing traffic.
The agency asserted that its personnel were merely trying to “calm and separate the vendor from further assaulting the enforcement officer.”
Eviction untrue
Speaking to Shahidan’s officer after undergoing an X-ray, the vendor was asked if it was true that DBKL had evicted him multiple times before.
“Not at all. That’s not true. I’m even afraid to meet them. If I do, my goods will be confiscated because I don’t have a licence. I don’t even know the procedure to apply for one," he said.
Umno Youth Dr Akmal SalehThe vendor, who hails from Jerantut, Pahang, also revealed that he suffers from a hernia and has a younger sibling still in school.
“Vending is all I can do because I genuinely love doing business," he added.
Shahidan’s officer assured him that they would assist him in obtaining a proper licence, while Akmal vowed to fight for justice on his behalf.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism of DBKL’s handling of the situation, with voices from both government and opposition parties - along with Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin - calling for accountability. - Mkini

---