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A fitness trainer with a large following on social media has been arrested and charged in court for allegedly assaulting his employees and violating wildlife protection laws
According to the New Straits Times, the allegations came to light after 27-year-old personal assistant Afiq Zakwan Johari stepped forward, claiming he endured six months of repeated assaults and threats at the hands of his 37-year-old employer, who owns a fitness centre.
The accused is known for his prominent online presence, where he regularly shares motivational messages and fitness-related content.
Afiq initially stayed silent about the alleged abuse, fearing for his family's safety after his employer allegedly threatened to come after them if he lodged a police report.
After discussing it with his family, he made the decision to lodge a formal report, determined to stop enabling the alleged abuse.
The injuries Afiq sustained on his back.
Image via Hairul Anuar Rahim/New Straits TimesThe injuries Afiq sustained on his back.Afiq began at working the accused's gym in September 2023
Initially, he described his employer as generous, often surprising staff with bonuses and even calling Afiq his "right-hand man".
However, by the end of last year, things allegedly took a turn. Afiq suspects his employer's growing frustration may have been driven by a slowdown in business.
"He would easily snap, and when he snaps, he hits hard. He uses whatever is within reach — cables, his bare hands," Afiq recounted, revealing faded scars on his upper arm.
He claimed that the assaults were not isolated incidents — they occurred at the office, at the trainer's home, and sometimes even in front of other staff members.
"I wasn't the only one," Afiq claimed. "Everyone working closely with him has been assaulted at some point. Only the cleaners were spared, probably because they don't interact with him much."
The final straw came on 16 June, when the employer allegedly struck him with a treadmill cable, leaving his body covered in black-and-blue bruises.
A photo published by NST shows multiple stripe-like bruises on Afiq's legs, consistent with signs of physical trauma. He has since sought medical treatment for his injuries.
The injuries Afiq sustained on his legs.
Image via Hairul Anuar Rahim/New Straits Times"One of my colleagues tried to lodge a report last year, only to withdraw it later," Afiq said
Since then, four other former employees have stepped forward, filing similar complaints and sharing their own experiences of alleged physical and emotional abuse.
According to the latest NST report, police arrested the accused after raiding his home in Petaling Jaya.
During the raid, authorities discovered an undocumented Sri Lankan domestic worker, who is also believed to be a victim of abuse.
Officers also found several protected animals at the premises, including a langur (a type of monkey), a wildcat, and a sun bear.
Shah Alam police chief ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim confirmed that the 37-year-old has been charged with four counts of assault
He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He is also being investigated under Section 13 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007. The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) is also expected to pursue charges under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
Following a nine-day remand, the accused was released on bail. In an earlier response to NST, he denied the assault allegations, describing them as "lies".
