IPOH: The Ipoh City Council has strongly condemned an incident in which one of its enforcement officers was assaulted and threatened while carrying out duties.
Ipoh Mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah said the officer was allegedly followed, harassed and threatened by a man after issuing a compound notice.
He said the suspect also allegedly behaved aggressively, posing a threat to the officer's safety.
"The enforcement officer was merely carrying out his official duties and responsibilities in accordance with the law, regulations and established standard operating procedures," Zamakhshari said in a statement on Sunday (July 26).
"Any form of violence, threats, intimidation or obstruction against public officers in the course of their duties is a serious offence and is completely unacceptable," he said.
"The safety and welfare of city council personnel, particularly officers working in the field, remain the council's top priority," he added.
The incident occurred on Friday (July 24) at Jalan Pengkalan Barat 35 here.
Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Muhammad Najib Hamzah said on Saturday (July 25) that police arrested a 42-year-old man who allegedly attacked and threatened the enforcement officer.
Zamakhshari expressed appreciation to the police, particularly the Ipoh District Police Headquarters, for their swift action in arresting the suspect to assist in investigations.
"The city council will extend its full cooperation to the police to facilitate the completion of the investigation," he said.
"We urge all parties not to speculate or spread unverified information until investigations have been concluded," Zamakhshari added.
He urged the public to cooperate with enforcement officers and to use official complaint or appeal channels if they are dissatisfied with any enforcement action.
"The council will not compromise on any act that threatens, assaults or obstructs its personnel while they are carrying out their duties to safeguard the peace, safety and wellbeing of Ipoh," Zamakhshari said.
