By Gedong Express reporter
KUCHING, Marchy 22, 2025: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan today expressed his disgust at the unwarranted action of an unknown man who physically harassed a non-Muslim Sarawakian student for not fasting during Ramadan in Johor recently.
He said such an harassment against a non-Muslim is horrible.
“It was just lucky that the student was not seriously injured. He should be provided with a legal counsel by the Sarawak government to protect his interest and to ensure the suspect be brought to justice,” Voon (picture) said in a statement.
“We should not tolerate such a situation against Sarawakians in a foreign land. Their safety in this foreign land is a responsibility of the Sarawak government,” the senior lawyer said.
He added from the video, it seemed that the suspect not only challenged the student but the police, noting that the suspect heard saying “saya tidak kisah panggil polis”.
He said the Sarawak government should, if not have done yet, make a representation to the federal Attorney – General Chambers to press for an early trial against the accused.
“This is to ensure that the student who was being assaulted or harassed would not have his studies distracted by delayed trial,” he said.
He also the Sarawak government to send a strong message to “outsiders” not to bully any Sarawakian working or studying in Malaya.
He said this is not about politics, but dignity and safety and rights of every Sarawakian.
“It is estimated that there are about 400,000 Sarawakians working and studying in Malaya and in Singapore,” he said, adding that in Johor alone, there could be over 100,000 Sarawakians living or working there.
He said Sarawakians have enough about a “cawat” issue by a Malayan leader some years ago and definitely, “we should not keep a blind eye about things like the incident in Johor.
“This is also to tell outsiders that Sarawakians in foreign land who are working or studying outside Sarawak have a caring government who will fight for their rights and whom they can fall back when facing problems.
The man, identified as 65-year retiree Abdul Razak Ismail, was later charged in Johor Bahru’s magistrate’s court where he pleaded not guilty on March 19, 2025.
He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt to 21-year-old Elijah Ling Zhao Zhong.
Abdul Razak allegedly committed the offence at a mall in Tampoi at about 6.15pm on March 16.
If convicted, he faces a maximum one-year jail term, a fine of up to RM2,000 , or both upon conviction.
He was represented by lawyer Salleh Togimin, while Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Afiqah Musa prosecuted.
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