Trucker: Attack was unprovoked

The truck driver who was beaten up by several individuals at a condominium in Ampang claimed that the attack was unprovoked.

Recounting the incident, Nasrul Faiz Zulfahmi, 25, said he had accidentally reversed his truck into a parked Mercedes-Benz.

When he got out, he was approached by an unidentified man.

"I asked if the car belonged to him and he asked who owned the truck," he told reporters during a protest, organised by fellow truck drivers, at Sungai Besi today.

Nasrul claimed that he and the man repeated their questions several times until the former relented and admitted to being the truck driver.

"Then he raised his hand and hit me. He pulled me like he was looking for a fight. I pulled back and wondered why he hit me," Nasrul said.

To a question, Nasrul denied ever being rude to his assailant.

He does not know if anyone ordered the attack. He said all he could remember was being hit by one man and kicked by two others.

The incident reportedly took place on Jan 14. A video of the incident, depicting Nasrul being pinned to the ground and assaulted by four men, have been widely spread over the internet.

This morning, the police confirmed that five individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Threats made

To a question, Nasrul said he was informed by his employers that the assailants had made threats against taking the matter to the authorities.

"My boss said they were like big time gangsters," said Nasrul, who is now worried for the safety of his family.

He said he eventually lodged a report after being urged to do so by the police.

On whether he the incident would deter him from making deliveries in the area, Nasrul replied: "Rezeki itu luas (Fortune is everywhere)."

Nasrul said he began driving lorries in March last year and was helping his parents, who are still employed, to support the family.

He said the attack left him with bruises and a gash on his neck which required 13 stitches. His employers covered his medical fees, which came up to RM1,000.

Truckers aghast

Meanwhile, several truck drivers at the protest claimed that the authorities had dragged their feet on Nasrul's assualt.

One lorry company owner, A Rathakrishnan, said that in contrast, the authorities were always swift when taking action against truck drivers for various wrongdoings.

"If a driver was involved in accident, within 24 hours he would be arrested. But this case happened on the 14th, arrests were only made on the 20th.

"Why did it take so long for the cops to make arrest?" he asked.

During the rally, truckers also urged the authorities to arrest the mystery "Datuk" who was allegedly connected to the assault on Nasrul. Police had denied that any "Datuk" was involved.

Rally organiser, Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs Alliance of Malaysia (Ikhlas) president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, said repatriations must also be made.

"We want those responsible to pay damages to the victim," Ridzuan said.- Mkini