KOTA KINABALU: Zero tolerance on domestic terrorism, even if executed by lone wolves, is important to stop spiral of violence.
If anyone can enjoy effective impunity after committing terrorism in the name of religion, ethnicity, culture, language or lifestyle, then political violence will become reciprocal.
Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau, Tuaran Member of Parliament and MP Emeritus President, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) made the statement mentioning that on March 30 at 5am, a KK Super Mart outlet in Sungai Isap in Kuantan, Pahang was attacked with a firebomb.
Four days ago a KK super mart in Bidor, Perak was attacked by Molotov cocktail, he shared adding that on January 10, at around 3am, the house of Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham in Kampung Air Tawar, Perak and three cars were set on fire by a Molotov cocktail, while Ngeh and his wife were sleeping inside. They could have been burned alive to death if they were not woken up by passers-by.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Home Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, and Deputy IPG Dato’ Sri Ayob Khan bin Mydin Pitchay who once headed the Police’s counter-terrorism branch must act immediately to nib domestic terrorism at the bud, now that the third politically motivated arson has happened in three months before even Quarter 1 of 2024 passes.
“All of these Molotov cocktail attacks are acts of terrorism, which is defined by Section 130B(3) of Malaysia’s Penal Code as “an act or threat of action… if it (a) involves serious bodily injury to a person, (b) endangers a person’s life, (c) causes a person’s death, (d) creates a serious risk to the health or the safety of the public or a section of the public; (e) involves serious damage to property; (f) involves the use of firearms, explosives or other lethal devices;…”. So, terrorists can be ‘lone wolves’ and not necessarily members of groups.”
He shared, “Section 130C then provides for the punishments for terrorist acts: death if the act results in death, and otherwise, 7-30 years in jail and fine. Further, Section 130G provides for a maximum 30-year jail term and fine for those who “knowingly incites or promotes the commission of a terrorist act”.”
Peace-loving Malaysians should therefore report to police or on social media any incitement of terrorist violence they encounter on Whatsapp, Facebook or other social media.
“Our law is serious about terrorism. Do we see the same seriousness in law enforcement? On January 16, Chief Police Officer (CPO) of Perak Datuk Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri reportedly said two suspects in the Molotov cocktail attack on Ngeh’s home would be charged the next day under Section 435 of the Penal Code for ‘mischief by fire’ which carries a maximum jail term of 14 years.”
“The Government and the Police must get its logic right: suppressing 3R expression is only justified if it can prevent violence, don’t come down hard (and selectively) on 3R expressions while appearing soft on violence.”
On this note, he called upon Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor to secure the commitment of Sabah CPO Datuk Jauteh Dikun and make public that all KK Marts in Sabah would be protected from any terrorist attacks. Not even vandalism should be tolerated.
“We Sabahans have suffered political violence in certain dark days in the mid-1980s. We must not let lawlessness be imported or incited again. Sabah today must remain sane and safe no matter what madness or sleepfulness consumes Malaya.”
“Whatever our political opinion, we Malaysians must unite to condemn political violence and terrorism. All coalitions and parties in the Government — PH, BN, GPS, GRS, Warisan, PBM, KDM – and in the Opposition – PN and MUDA – must speak in one voice to denounce violence and terrorism, not afraid of any backlash from their radical supporters.”
“Perhaps more importantly, leaders from all religious and ethnic communities to collectively promote peace and denounce violence, which is against Islam as much as it is against Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism, animism and humanism.”
“Losing control of ourselves is not part of any civilisation or culture in Malaysia, be it Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sabahan or Sarawakian. We must not be unequivocal in getting the message across to all Malaysians – no matter how justified you feel your anger is, you have no right to harm lives or destroy properties.”
“We must make sure violence and terrorism – threatened or actualised – will never be a ‘Business as usual’ in Malaysia. There is no winner in lawlessness.”-pr/BNN
