‘Joseph Prakash disrupted event, verbally abused staff led to his arrest’
Kota Kemuning state assemblyman Preakas Sampunathan revealed that Pertubuhan Kebajikan Integriti Persahabatan Nasional (PKIPN) founder Joseph Prakash had disrupted the preparation for Deepavali Open House event at his constituency on Nov 1.
“Joseph and several others disrupted the event setup by making baseless accusations that I do not support the Indian community. He even streamed it on TikTok Live to air their frustrations,” said the DAP state lawmaker in a statement.
“Let me make this absolutely clear, that accusation is entirely false. My track record speaks for itself.
“I have continuously supported and empowered numerous Indian community initiatives, organisations, and cultural programmes throughout my tenure. My service to all communities in Kota Kemuning has always been grounded in fairness, inclusivity, and respect.”
He said this in reaction to accusations made by Joseph Prakash via TikTok even as the latter was being detained by the police.
Staff had to endure Joseph’s verbal abuse, humiliation
Preakas also revealed that Joseph started using vulgar and abusive language when he met him on Nov 4. Joseph had requested a meeting to discuss matters regarding the Indian community.
“Shortly after the meeting began, Joseph began yelling vulgar and abusive language as well as extorted both myself and my political secretary. I asked him to leave my office to cool down.
“Some of my staff came in as well to help deescalate the situation with concerns of the safety of the wider service centre. Instead, he escalated the situation, shouting obscenities, making threats, and even challenging me to a physical fight, which I immediately declined.
The disruptive PKIPN founder Joseph Prakash
“As he stormed out, Joseph continued his tirade against other staff members in my office, verbally assaulting them with disgusting insults. Upon reaching the ground floor, he proceeded to start a TikTok Live session, using it as a platform to continue his verbal abuse and to humiliate the hardworking staff of my service centre.
Preakas also revealed the arrest was done based on the police reports filed by his staff who endured Joseph’s verbal abuse and humiliation.
In a video that went viral last night, Joseph revealed that he was detained under section 506 of the Penal Code and section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act.
Section 506 of the Penal Code criminalises criminal intimidation whereas section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act makes improper use of network facilities or network service an offence.