PETALING JAYA: The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) has initiated investigation into an incident where one of its enforcement officers had reacted physically against an elderly man who assaulted the former with an umbrella.
Its president Noraini Roslan said the officer has also been taken out of enforcement duties temporarily pending the probe.
“A fair and detailed investigation will be launched with immediate effect,” she said in a statement today.
The incident that took place in USJ 9, Subang Jaya yesterday was triggered when the MPSJ enforcement officer was carrying out his duty towing away a car that was obstructing traffic flow in the area,
The owner of the car was however displeased by the action, and tried to remove the towing equipment from his vehicle before began berating the officer.
He then swung his umbrella at the officer, leading to the latter to react by punching the man and slamming him to the ground, causing him to bleed on his head.
A video clip that captured the incident has gone viral on social media garnering mixed response from netizens, with some claiming the MPSJ officer’ reaction being excessive, while others thought the umbrella-wielding man deserved it for crossing the line.
Noraini however maintained that it was clear that the elderly man had committed a couple of offences — for obstructing traffic and assaulting an on-duty enforcement officer.
Commenting further, she called on the public who are unhappy with any enforcement actions taken by MPSJ officers to submit an official complaint to the local council or the Public Complaints Bureau for further action.
Meanwhile, the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has expressed regret that the officer has become the target of social media netizens following the incident.
Its president Adnan Mat said the officer was merely carrying out his duty before being first assaulted by the car owner, and that he had only reacted in self-defence.
“He was forced to defend himself from the risk of being injured,” he said, adding that all quarters should look at the matter in a fair manner, and not to punish the duty officer.
“The action of certain quarters who seem to be punishing him on social media is very unfair. In fact, stern action must be taken by the MPSJ against the elderly individual for obstructing his duty,” he added.
