KUALA LUMPUR: A video clip depicting the assault on Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ibrahim Sahib Ansar, by a group of people at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Sunday, has emerged.
The 49-second long footage, believed to have been taken from the airport’s CCTV system, shows the envoy being assaulted by a group of men along a corridor at the airport.
Ibrahim, wearing an orange long-sleeved shirt, was seen fending off blows by no less than five people.
His assailants were seen punching and kicking him as Ibrahim was backed up against a wall. He was kicked and punched in the head as well as body.
Several passers-by fled the scene upon witnessing the violence.
It is unknown whether the assault began elsewhere, or at the location depicted in the footage.
Policemen then entered the frame, bringing Ibrahim’s assailants away.
An unidentified man is seen tending to Ibrahim, who was examining his wounds.
It is understood that Ibrahim was brought to the Gleneagles Hospital for treatment.
According to NST’s report yesterday, Ibrahim was at the KLIA to send off Sri Lanka’s Primary Industries Minister, Daya Gamage, who had attended the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), in Kuala Lumpur.
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa had also attended the conference. His attendance had drawn protests and saw demonstrations held.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar today announced that police have arrested five people over the assault.
The men, aged between 27 and 56, were picked up in Dengkil, Ipoh and KL.
The men are being investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).
Four more suspects have also been identified, and an operation is underway to bring them into custody.
Khalid said police are probing local groups to check on their possible links with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka.