Politician arrested in attack on NGO chairman

 

M Mani Maran was admitted to Hospital Kuala Lumpur after he was assaulted.

PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested a politician for allegedly assaulting a leader of an Indian-based NGO.

Sentul district police chief Beh Eng Lai confirmed the arrest when contacted by FMT.

“The suspect is a politician,” he said.

FMT understands that the politician is a branch chief of a Barisan Nasional component party in Kuala Lumpur.

This is the second time Persatuan Harapan India Malaysia chairman M Mani Maran has been attacked. On July 27, he suffered injuries to his neck after a “stalker” slashed him with a blade.

He received 16 stitches at the hospital following the attack in Kajang.

In his police report then, Mani Maran alleged that the assailant was the same person who had approached him outside the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya after he lodged a report against a Cabinet member on July 22.

The Cabinet member is alleged to have been involved in false claims and misappropriation of funds from the PenjanaKerjaya hiring incentive programme.

In the incident yesterday afternoon, the suspect allegedly stabbed the victim in the left hand with a knife, after an altercation outside a hair salon along Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur.

In a statement today, Beh said the 36-year-old suspect was arrested last night and was currently being held at the Sentul district police headquarters while police seek a remand order.

The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt, with a maximum jail term of 10 years, a fine, or both if convicted.

Beh said the suspect has a criminal record of three different offences.

Mani Maran said he was currently awaiting surgery for the 3cm cut in his left hand at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

This is the second time he has been assaulted after he was slashed in the back of the neck with a knife on July 27.

“I’m not afraid to voice out injustices for the sake of the people and most importantly, for the Indian community who have been misled and taken advantage of by Indian politicians,” he said. - FMT