This comes after an allegation that police gave the employer, who assaulted his two bodyguards, the special privilege of meeting the press while being under remand.

Zainal clarified that the incident actually happened coincidentally when the suspect was in the process of being handed over to the South Klang district police headquarters.

He said on that day, many reporters were at the Dang Wangi police headquarters following a press conference over the Hari Raya-themed online gambling videos.

“The suspect was coincidentally being brought through the lobby to be handed over to the South Klang police and reporters took pictures of the suspect before he was taken away in a police car.

“The matter happened spontaneously because the suspect suddenly spoke to the media.

“In fact, the group of reporters did not ask him any questions but the suspect himself apologised in Mandarin and his remarks were reported by the media there,” he said in a statement.

Earlier, Perikatan Nasional senator Muhammad Zahid Md Arip questioned the special treatment allegedly given by the police to the employer who allegedly beat two of his bodyguards for fasting.

He questioned how the suspect was allowed to hold a press conference to make an apology to Muslims and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong over the incident.

Zahid said the move had given the wrong message and asked Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador to explain the special treatment given.

Zahid claimed two police officers were specifically tasked to guard the suspect so that he could meet the media.

“Why must the suspect apologise to Muslims and to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong? Could it be that with this apology, his criminal assault case will be closed and the suspect will then be free?”