SERDANG: The man who had allegedly sprayed an unidentified liquid, believed to be corrosive in nature, at a Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) enforcement officer on Wednesday was arrested less than 12 hours after the incident.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Megat Mohamad Aminuddin Megat Alias said a Criminal Investigation Department team arrested the man in Jalan Persiaran BK5, Bandar Kirara, at 10.30pm that day.
“Following interrogation, the 50-year-old man had admitted that he was involved in the case. He had also admitted to have thrown away the spray (bottle) he used,” he said.
Megat Aminuddin said police were still trying to ascertain what liquid was used in the attack.
The enforcement officer and a colleague were on duty in Bandar Puteri in Puchong when he spotted a white Honda City parked illegally in front of a restaurant in Jalan Puteri 1/4 about 12.40pm.
While they were clamping one of the vehicle’s wheels, the man and his wife burst onto the scene, berating the officer and acting aggressively.
In the midst of the haranguing, the man sprayed an unidentified liquid in the officer’s face before he and his wife fled.
Harian Metro reported that the officer, 31-year-old Nor Safuan Nordin, said he was lucky as the liquid did not directly hit his eyes as he had his sunglasses on.
“It was not the first time I was assaulted while carrying out enforcement duty. Previously, I was roughed up by a famous comedian and earlier this year I was threatened by a woman with a steering wheel lock while clamping illegally parked cars.
“This time, I am attacked until I am nearly blind,” he said, adding the stinging sensation lasted for about 15 minutes.
He said his vision became blurry and he also experienced difficulty breathing.
The case caused a stir among Netizens, with many blaming the man for overreacting as the officer was just doing his job.
Facebook user Su Hwa said if the man did not want his vehicle to be clamped, then he would have to follow the rules.
“It is (as) easy as ABC, get rid of old habit, walk a bit further, you do not need to park right in front of the shop,” she posted.
Another user, Diane Chow, said the officer was just carrying out his duties and that she hoped the man learnt his lesson.
“It saddens me that some people just cannot be more polite and discipline. I hope they learn their lesson and own up to their mistakes in the future,” she said.