KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyer Zaid Malek said justice has been served for deaf-mute e-hailing driver Ong Ing Keong after a security escort to a VVIP who punched him on his right cheek was fined RM1,000, in default 20 days' jail, by the magistrate's court.()
Zaid, the director of human rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) which has championed for Ong's rights, said: " This is exactly what he (Ong) wanted."
"He wanted the aggressor to be brought to court and this happened today. It took him five months for a simple and straightforward case like this where there was a dashboard camera recording and medical evidence.
He did all he could to fight for his rights by going to the police and the Attorney-General's Chambers, and telling his side of the story at press conferences."
Zaid held a watching brief for Ong at court proceedings today.
Magistrate Farah Nabihah Muhamad Dan handed down the sentence on Muhammad Taufik Ismail, 32, who pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt on Ong, 47, at 11.40am at the lobby of St. Regis in Brickfields on May 28.
The charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code carries a maximum one year jail term, a fine up to RM2,000 or both upon conviction.
At press time, Zaid said he had yet to convey the court's decision to Ong.
"He was not even aware of the charge today. He is still working as a Grab driver and I will send him a message about this."
LFL had repeatedly called out the authorities' failure to act upon the case, as no one was arrested or charged over the assault months after the incident.
LFL also released the dashboard camera recording of the assault during a press conference where Ong narrated the incident through a sign language interpreter.