Cops: Slain Datuk was never charged with any crime
Penang police say the well-known businessman was only detained under the Emergency Ordinance but was released after the law was repealed.
GEORGE TOWN: The “Datuk” shot dead by his bodyguard on Dec 1 was never charged for any crime before, police said.
However, he was detained under the Emergency Ordinance (EO) but had to be released after the law was repealed, Penang police chief Commissioner Abdul Ghafar Rajab said.
The businessman, Ong Teik Kwong, 32, was shot dead in his car by his “mentally unstable” bodyguard last Thursday on the Tun Lim Chong Eu Expressway here.
The man also shot dead two other passersby and wounded five others when he continued firing his pistol.
Speaking after opening the Penang Retired Senior Police Officers’ Association of Malaysia luncheon today, Ghafar said the bodyguard, aged 37, would be remanded for another week after his initial seven-day remand expires tomorrow.
“We have recorded 19 statements regarding the shooting case.
“We will finish our investigation papers before handing them over to the prosecutors.”
Questioned on a viral video showing a heavily-tattooed man being whipped with a garden hose, Ghafar said police were still investigating.
He said a 27-year-old man was detained regarding the video but the suspect would be released on police bail tomorrow.
Ghafar said the man was beaten up after apparently insulting “a dead person”, whom he did not identify.
“This is clearly a ‘gatal tangan’ case. Who asked him to insult the dead on WeChat and other social media apps? That is why I say please only post things that you are sure of.
“You might hurt someone who is in mourning. The family will be hurt. Of course, you will be angry.
“Even if it was me, I will be angry with anyone who insulted my friend.
“But, of course, you cannot take the law into your hands and assaulting someone is a crime. But Alhamdulillah, we managed to rescue the man in the video.”
Ghafar said police were also planning to take action against the victim after he had recovered from his injuries. He did not elaborate what offence would be preferred against him.
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It was widely reported that the man was punished for insulting the Datuk on social media.