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'Tycoon's son reversed car into officer' – cops explain attempted murder probe

'Tycoon's son reversed car into officer' – cops explain attempted murder probe
'Tycoon's son reversed car into officer' – cops explain attempted murder probe

The son of a restaurant tycoon is being investigated for attempted murder because he allegedly reversed his vehicle into a police officer in a bid to evade arrest.

Speaking to Malaysiakini today, Kajang district police investigating officer Azrul Nizam Zainal claimed this led the officers to open fire at the vehicle.

“The suspect tried to hit one of our officers, so the police were forced to shoot in order to stop the vehicle,” he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code.

However, at a press conference yesterday, Too Kim Yong’s wife claimed that her husband had thought the plainclothes police officers were robbers and wanted to escape.

She also alleged that the officers did not identify themselves when attempting to unlock her husband’s vehicle.

The family and their lawyer also censured the police for using excessive force by opening fire on the vehicle when the suspect’s children were inside.

In the July 22 incident, a team from the Bukit Aman narcotics department detained the 35-year-old IT professional near his residential area in Cheras Hartamas for drug-related charges.

The family also showed reporters CCTV footage of the incident.

In the recording, the officers were seen stopping their car in the middle of the road when Too reached the guardhouse.

Following this, Too was seen reversing his vehicle and entering the residential area from the right after the police officers’ car blocked the left entrance.

Based on the footage, it could not be ascertained if there was a police officer behind Too's vehicle when he reversed.

When he managed to drive past the officers, the latter could be seen firing at least three shots at the vehicle.

Yesterday, Selangor police chief Arjunaidi Mohamed said police are investigating the family’s allegation of excessive force but declined to comment further.

Too was later released but rearrested by the Selangor police under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 which allows for detention without trial for a period of 60 days.

He was initially arrested under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

“The Serdang police decided not to pursue the case. His urine test result was also negative. This shows my client was not involved with drugs.

“The question is why did the police re-arrest him under a law which allows for detention without trial?” asked his lawyer Keppy Wong.