Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates.
A disabled e-hailing driver, Ong Ing Keong, has just filed a civil lawsuit at the Kuala Lumpur High Court against the government, the police force, and police escort officer Muhammad Taufik Ismail.
If you’re not familiar with his story, this whole thing started with an incident back in May 2024 where Ong was punched in the face by Taufik.
The Assault Happened Without Any Prior Warning
At the time, Ong was pulling up outside the St. Regis Hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur when Taufik reached out to punch the driver in the face unprovoked.
Taufik was part of the escort convoy for Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
According to Ong, he went straight to the Jalan Travers police station to report the attack, but his mobile phone was instead confiscated; he was pressured to delete the dashcam footage of the incident and withdraw his report.
Left waiting alone in silence for hours without a sign language interpreter, Ong stood his ground and refused to back down.
When official action stalled over the following months, human rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) stepped in.
Led by lawyer Zaid Malek, LFL held press conferences where Ong told his story to the public, keeping pressure on the authorities despite five months of inaction.
Taufik was then finally brought to court. Although he pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt and was sentenced to a RM1,000 fine, the lenient penalty drew widespread public criticism and disappointment from disability advocate groups.
Ong’s lawyer noted at the time that the driver simply wanted the man who hurt him to be held accountable.
Ensuring The Rights Of Disabled Malaysians
Now, Ong is making sure accountability goes all the way to the top. As we mentioned earlier, he is suing the government, the Kuala Lumpur chief of police, the inspector-general of police and Taufik as the first defendant.
On top of damages (financial compensation in a lawsuit), he is demanding what might turn out to be a landmark mandatory court injunction, if the case is decided in his favor.
He wants every police station in Malaysia to provide access to official Malaysian Sign Language interpreters, transcription equipment, and communication assistance for persons with disabilities (OKU).
In his statement of claim, Ong – represented by the law firm Daim & Gamany – accused the defendants of assault, negligence, misfeasance in public office, and violating provisions under the Police Act and the Persons with Disabilities Act.
READ MORE: Police Escort Fined RM1,000 For Assaulting Deaf E-Hailing Driver Ong Ing Keong
Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, X, Instagram, or Threads.
