A female healthcare worker was assaulted by a group of men in Melaka after her younger brother confronted a trishaw rider for blaring his horn out of the blue.
The victim surnamed Chen recounted the unfortunate incident to Kota Laksamana assemblyperson Low Chee Leong and Bandar Hilir assemblyperson Leng Chau Yen, who called for stern action by authorities.
Took foreign friend on Melaka trip
According to Chen, she and her family, who are from Johor, went to Melaka along with a friend from China who was visiting Malaysia for the first time on Monday (Sept 7).
During the trip, the group went to Taman Bunga Merdeka, with Chen saying that she, her brother, and friend were walking from Menara Taming Sari towards Dataran Pahlawan, whereas her parents followed from behind 10 metres away.
‘Horn for what?!’
While walking, Chen said a trishaw rider suddenly blared the horn, which startled her, her brother, and friend.
Upset by the unwelcomed noise, Chen’s brother angrily confronted the trishaw rider and yelled, “(You) horn for what?!”
Although the trishaw rider continued to move ahead, Chen claimed two men suddenly emerged from behind and began shouting profanities, with one of them lunging towards her brother.
“My brother had previously suffered a cervical spine injury, so I instinctively stepped forward to protect him but got punched in the right eye, which sent my glasses flying.
“As for my brother and Chinese friend, they were slapped and hit during the scuffle,” she said.
Loss of vision
Upon seeing Chen and the group being attacked, Chen’s parents quickly intervened and pleaded with the men to stop.
However, they allegedly refused until Chen lost vision in her right eye and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
There, Chen was diagnosed with soft-tissue injuries, inflammation and ruptured blood vessels in her right eye. Fortunately, her vision gradually returned, although she’s still experiencing blurry vision and discomfort.
A police report was then lodged and Chen went to the Melaka General Hospital for a medical examination at the police’s request before returning to the hotel at 7am the next day.
‘I felt so ashamed’
Chen said she was deeply embarrassed by the violent encounter as her foreign friend had to witness it unfold on the very first day of the trip.
“I was also terrified that I might permanently lose sight in my eye, and my family was very worried for my emotional state and this affected our travel plans.
Furthermore, when I lodged the police report, I was told that the men might only face minor punishment if my injuries are not severe, which left me very disappointed,” she added.
Chen’s father said two of the three men were wearing event T-shirts bearing the logo of the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB), while the third man who carried out the assault was just wearing a t-shirt.
He added that he suspects the trio were either hawkers or trishaw riders operating in the area.
Chen’s father also said the men were Malay but hurled Mandarin obscenities, leading him to believe the trio may have mistaken them for Chinese tourists.
“Regardless of whether that was the case, no one should hurl verbal abuse at others, let alone resort to violence.”
ADUNs slam incident
Meanwhile, Low urged police to intervene as the incident had damaged Melaka’s tourism image and undermined tourists’ confidence.
He added that he will follow up on the matter with Melaka Tourism, Heritage, Arts and Culture Exco Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman, and the state government.
As for Leng, she said around 60% to 70% of Melaka’s revenue comes from the services sector, with tourism being a key pillar.
She added Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh had repeatedly reiterated that trishaw riders are the state’s “tourism ambassadors”, and that their licences will be revoked if they commit a serious violation.
“I urge the police to review CCTV footage and witnesses to come forward and provide evidence if they recorded the assault.
In the past, I’ve received complaints about disputes among trishaw riders regarding “competition” for passengers, but this is the the first time I’ve heard of tourists being assaulted.”
Leng said she hopes the state government will investigate the matter and compel those responsible to foot the medical bill, adding she had raised the matter with the Melaka Tourism Promotion Board and Chief Minister.
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