“INHUMANE” AND “HEARTBREAKING”, SAY Officials
Several groups and social groups have spoken up since the affair.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil on Tuesday said the assault was unacceptable and should not have happened.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Social Welfare Department condemned the incident, calling it an “inhumane ” act that went “far beyond the acceptable standards of social conduct” in Malaysia.
Youth chief of the United Malays National Organisation ( UMNO ) Muhamad Akmal Saleh has pledged free legal aid for the victim and vowed to pursue justice for him.
“It is heartbreaking to see the sufferer being treated so cruelly. How had they kick him in the face and bring him along the road? ” he said in a picture posted on Instagram on Sunday.
Bersatu Youth key Aziman Hadi Nazri even criticised the strike, calling it a infraction of spiritual values and legal guidelines.
“We call on the authorities to conduct a transparent investigation and take stern action against those involved under Section 147 of the Penal Code ( for rioting ), ” he said in a statement on Monday.
UMNO is part of the ruling coalition while Bersatu is in the criticism.
Ahmad’s family Faridah Abdul Karim told the media she would keep studies to the authorities.
“We ( the family ) will not forgive those who assaulted my husband, even though someone has called to meet and resolve the matter, ” she told the New Straits Times on Monday after a visit by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s political secretary Megat Zulkarnain.
Megat told Bernama that UMNO would supply all necessary assistance to the target, including legal representation and help for the victim’s two children aged 10 and four.
Former senator Ras Adibah Radzi slammed members of the public who just stood by and watched the “heartbreaking ” incident.
“The prey was on his own and was dragged and kicked by a group of people for an crime we believe was unexpected. But what is even more disconcerting is that those existing at the picture merely stood by and watched without offering any assistance, ” she said in a speech published on Twitter.
Ras Adiba, the leader of disability rights non-governmental company OKU Sentral, even said people with disabilities face different challenges everyday and called the crime towards the target “deeply troubling”.
Could A GOOD SAMARITAN LAW HELP?
The event has even raised issues on whether a Good Samaritan Law may have prompted spectators to move forward to help.
Malaysia is considering for a law to motivate people to assist in situations without worry of legal implications, such as being sued for unintentional damage caused when offering support. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed on Dec 14 his government is considering whether to offer the rules.
Places like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia as well as some in Asia have for a legislation and Malaysia did forecast against them, he said.
Speaking to CNA, Ras Adibah said such a law was “unnecessary ” and it was more crucial to promote empathy through more disability awareness campaigns.
“ I think … we just need to have a consciousness; shouting, kicking and hurting other people is a no-go, ” she said.
More reporting by Izzah Aqilah Norman