A female healthcare worker was allegedly assaulted by a group of men during a family trip to Melaka after her younger brother confronted a trishaw rider for suddenly sounding his horn.
The woman, identified only by her surname Chen, said the incident happened on Monday (Sept 7) when she was visiting Melaka with her family and a friend from China who was in Malaysia for the first time.
Chen later recounted the incident to Kota Laksamana assemblyperson Low Chee Leong and Bandar Hilir assemblyperson Leng Chau Yen, who called for firm action against those responsible.
Chen said she, her brother and their friend were walking from Menara Taming Sari towards Dataran Pahlawan through Taman Bunga Merdeka, while her parents were about 10 metres behind them.
She said a trishaw rider suddenly sounded his horn, startling the trio.
Upset, Chen’s brother confronted the rider and shouted: “Horn for what?!”
According to Chen, the trishaw rider continued moving, but two men then appeared from behind and allegedly began shouting profanities, with one moving towards her brother.
Chen said her brother had previously suffered a cervical spine injury, prompting her to step in to protect him. She alleged that she was then punched in her right eye, causing her glasses to fly off.
“My brother and Chinese friend were also slapped and hit during the scuffle,” she said.
Chen’s parents intervened after seeing the group being attacked and pleaded with the men to stop. She claimed the assault continued until she temporarily lost vision in her right eye and had to be taken to hospital.
Doctors later diagnosed her with soft-tissue injuries, inflammation and ruptured blood vessels in the affected eye. Although her vision gradually returned, she said she continues to experience blurred vision and discomfort.
A police report was subsequently lodged, and Chen underwent a medical examination at Melaka General Hospital at the police’s request before returning to her hotel at about 7am the following day.
Chen said she was particularly distressed that her friend from China had witnessed the incident on the first day of their trip.
“I was also terrified that I might permanently lose sight in my eye, and my family was very worried about my emotional state. This affected our travel plans,” she said.
She also expressed disappointment after allegedly being told while lodging the police report that the men could face only a minor punishment if her injuries were deemed not severe.
Chen’s father said two of the three men involved were wearing event T-shirts bearing the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) logo, while the third man who allegedly assaulted his daughter was wearing a plain T-shirt.
He suspected the men were hawkers or trishaw riders operating in the area. He also said the men were Malay but allegedly used Mandarin obscenities, leading him to suspect they may have mistaken the family for Chinese tourists.
“Regardless of whether that was the case, no one should hurl verbal abuse at others, let alone resort to violence,” he said.
Low urged police to take action, saying the incident could affect Melaka’s tourism image and visitors’ confidence. He said he would raise the matter with Melaka Tourism, Heritage, Arts and Culture Exco Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman and the state government.
Leng said the services sector contributes around 60% to 70% of Melaka’s revenue, with tourism being a key component.
She noted that Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh had repeatedly described trishaw riders as the state’s “tourism ambassadors” and said their licences could be revoked for serious violations.
“I urge the police to review CCTV footage and witnesses to come forward and provide evidence if they recorded the assault,” she said.
Leng added that she had previously received complaints about disputes between trishaw riders over competition for passengers, but said this was the first time she had heard of tourists being assaulted.
She said she hoped the state government would investigate the incident and ensure those responsible paid the victim’s medical expenses, adding that she had raised the matter with the Melaka Tourism Promotion Board and the Chief Minister.
