It was tourist who assaulted guide – police

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KOTA KINABALU: Police have denied the allegation made by a Hong Kong tourist who claimed he was assaulted by a tourist guide at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).

City police chief ACP Ahmad Sofi Zakaria said based on early police investigation, the tourist guide was actually the victim when he was assaulted and got a slap on the face by a tourist in the incident on May 31.

“It was not the (Hong Kong) tourist who got assaulted but it was actually the tourist guide who got assaulted first.

“Police believe the alleged incident happened during an argument between the guide and some of the tourists when one of them then allegedly slapped the guide on his face,” said Sofi yesterday.

He said police were investigating the case under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt, an offence which carries a jail term of up to one year or a fine not exceeding RM2,000, or both.

It was reported that the tourist from Hong Kong was assaulted by the tourist guide at the KKIA prior to the departure of the tourists.

It was said that the alleged assault was a result of the tourist guide’s dissatisfaction after the tour group rejected his services.