Muhamad Za’imuddin Azlan at a press conference on April 6, 2025. – LOW BOON TAT/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Balloon seller Muhamad Za'imuddin Azlan says he has lodged a police report over injuries he sustained in March during an altercation with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officers.
"I was only earning a living for myself and my family" said a tearful Muhamad Za'imuddin during a press conference here on Sunday (April 6), accompanied by his mother Hasnah Mat Isa.
His lawyer Rafique Rashid said they are considering legal action when the full medical report is obtained.
"Currently, we have a discharge note (issued by Serdang Hospital) confirming there are medical issues related to the incident," he said, adding that the medical report could take one month.
Rafique also questioned claims Muhammad Za'imuddin had a previous criminal record.
This comes after reports cited a source saying he had 13 prior cases, mostly related to drugs.
Rafique also urged the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) to hear the trader's side of the story before making any decision.
It was earlier reported that two of three investigation papers over the altercation between the balloon vendor and DBKL officers have been referred to the AGC.
DBKL enforcement officers lodged two police reports and Muhammad Za'imuddin's mother lodged another.
Previously, a video went viral showing a confrontation between Muhamad Za'imuddin and a group of DBKL officers on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, which led to the former being tackled to the ground.
DBKL later claimed that Muhammad Za'imuddin refused to cooperate with officers who had warned him twice to stop hawking without a licence.
In another video, Muhammad Za'imuddin denied claims he was given warnings three times by officers before the scuffle occurred.
Following the incident, DBKL said it would review its procedures and investigate the incident.
DBKL said the officers involved had lodged a police report over the incident.
It added that they have also been temporarily suspended.
