Criminal record no excuse for being mistreated, says balloon vendor

Criminal record no excuse for being mistreated, says balloon vendor

KUALA LUMPUR: The balloon vendor who was injured in a scuffle with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officers has questioned whether his alleged criminal history has any bearing on the March 28 incident.

At a press conference here, Za’imuddin Azlan noted that media reports about his alleged criminal history of 13 offences were based on unofficial sources, adding that he would leave the matter for his lawyer, Rafique Rashid, to address.

However, Za’imuddin stressed that a person’s criminal record should not be used as justification to mistreat them.

“I was selling balloons, not drugs. Even if I am a former criminal, does that mean I cannot earn a halal living?” he said, as he started to break down in tears.

“Even if I have a criminal history, does that mean I can be beaten, kicked, stabbed, grabbed by the neck, and treated cruelly? Does that give anyone a licence to beat me?

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“Are DBKL allowed to treat people like trash just because they have past criminal cases and are poor?”

When asked about Za’imuddin’s criminal cases in the past, Rafique said he would only comment on it if the authorities are willing to disclose the information officially.

“But even if there were past cases and he was jailed or fined, that still does not justify any excessive action by anyone, especially enforcement authorities.

“Is Za’imuddin so despicable or such a major criminal that he can be treated like that?” Rafique said.

The lawyer also shot down claims that his client had faked his injury, pointing out that the government hospital which treated Za’imuddin gave him a 48-day medical leave certificate.

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“He would not have been granted so many days of medical leave if he was faking his injury. Just look at him, he’s in a wheelchair,” Rafique said.

A private medical officer who was present at the press conference, Dr Hafidz Rizal Amran, said Za’imuddin is at risk of permanent paralysis after a severe injury to the T12 thoracic spinal nerve.

He said Za’imuddin is facing numerous complications from his injury, such as being unable to control his bladder and feeling numbness in parts of his body.

Rafique said he is still considering whether to take legal action against the DBKL enforcement officers, adding that his client lodged a police report today following the incident.

Za’imuddin was previously treated at the Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang for seven days from March 29 to April 4 for his injuries.

On March 30, Dang Wangi police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said five people had given their statements to assist in the investigation into the scuffle.

The investigation is being held under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their public functions.

A viral video of the incident showed DBKL enforcement officers getting into a scuffle with Za’imuddin, who they claimed did not have a licence, before he was eventually pinned to the ground.

DBKL claimed that the man had refused to comply with instructions and acted aggressively despite three warnings, and even pushed one of the officers.

Za’imuddin denied that he was warned three times before the altercation with the officers.

Three DBKL enforcement officers involved in the incident have been suspended from their duties.