Story by Amanda Khong
A PRESS conference was held on Jan 16 at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) enforcement office regarding an enforcement officer being assaulted by a taxi driver.
The incident happened on Jan 15 around the vicinity of Gurney Drive food court when the taxi was clamped by MBPP enforcement officers for indiscriminate parking.
Mohd Hilmi Mohd Ismail, 28, an enforcement officer of three years, was the officer assaulted by the taxi driver.
“I had asked all the taxi drivers to move their taxis from the area as they were double parking and causing a jam. This driver in particular did not move his taxi but instead just sat inside when we gave the warning,” said Mohd Hilmi.
Mohd Hilmi added that he also asked the driver three times to move the taxi but was ignored so he had no other choice but to clamp the taxi’s tyre.
The taxi driver then proceeded to step out of the taxi and started to assault Mohd Hilmi by putting him into a headlock and dragging him across the street to the MBPP traffic truck to demand for Mohd Hilmi’s identification card.
“It is regretful to see such things happening when our officers are just doing their jobs. I would like to praise our officer who stayed calm and handled the whole issue professionally,” said Ahmad Azrizal Tahir, acting chairman for MBPP Enforcement.
Also present during the press conference was MBPP secretary, Ang Aing Thye, MBPP Corporate Division director Mohamed Akbar Mustapha and MBPP councillors.
A police report has been lodged regarding this incident.