AN UMNO veteran who witnessed independence in 1957 has expressed disappointment and shock at the apparent use of violence against DAP’s Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham whose house was attacked with a Molotov cocktail on Wednesday.
Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff, 93, has called on people who harbour differences or even antagonism against others to fight on proper political platforms instead of resorting to blatant criminal aggression.
Yussof, a former secretary of Penang’s first chief minister Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee, lived through the Second World War, the Emergency, and the racial riots of 1969.
He said that he is baffled by the alleged arson attack on Ngeh’s home at Ayer Tawar town in Perak in the pre-dawn hours.
He said that such attacks are contrary to the strong principles of co-existence among Malaysians. They should instead attempt to demonstrate that positive change can be brought about through peaceful means.
Yussof said that as Ngeh is a politician, those who disagree with him should use a political forum to debate with him about whatever is troubling them.
"We should confine politics to politics and not resort to violence, as everybody knows what violence would lead to. Malaysia is a moderate and peace-loving country," he said in comments made to The Vibes.
Yussof said that the country needs a huge dose of maturity in its politics, as the nation edges further ahead in the 21st century.
Meanwhile, DAP’s Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid said that the incident has jolted the conscience of the nation.
It serves as a stark and alarming reminder of a crucial principle – that violence is an unacceptable response, irrespective of the depth of the disagreement, she said.
"This harrowing episode has highlighted the urgency for a commitment to peaceful discourse. It brings to mind the profound adage that anger leads to destruction," she said.
Thie episode should remind the citizenry that the path of rage and violence is fraught with destruction and lasting regret, she stressed.
"In these trying times, it is more important than ever for us as Malaysians to unite in our stand against violence, championing dialogue and mutual understanding as the bedrock of our community."
In the incident at about 2.50am on Wednesday, someone had hurled the explosive at Ngeh’s house at Lorong Semarak Jaya in Ayer Tawar, about 60km from Ipoh.
It caused the porch of his house and three cars to be burnt. No one was injured.
The flames were prevented from spreading to the rest of his house due to quick action by the police and the Fire and Rescue Department.
At a press conference later, Ngeh mentioned that certain parties had “manipulated” a statement he had made on December 28 by falsely giving a picture that he was interfering in Muslim affairs and even claiming that he was anti-Islamic.
He suggested that the attacker may have been influenced by such rhetoric.
The Perak police have since begun monitoring and increasing patrol around his residential area.
Maintain peace and security
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has conveyed the party’s strong condemnation of the incident at Ngeh’s house.
He emphasised that such acts went against the basic principles of peaceful and harmonious community life, stressing that differences in views and beliefs did not justify actions that exceeded the limits of law and morals, especially those that could threaten lives and property.
“PAS welcomes the immediate action taken by the authorities to control the situation and conduct a rapid investigation to identify and arrest the parties involved,” Takiyuddin said.
Meanwhile, Penang PKR deputy chairman Datuk Muhammed Bakhtiar Wan Chik said that the attack was likely triggered by elements who want to destabilise the national unity government which is bent on setting things right for the country.
He claimed that such elements may be fuelled by manipulative rhetoric of opposition members hoping to unsettle the duly elected government of the day.
Bakhtiar said that the police must be empowered to go after the culprits to ensure that peace and security is maintained in Malaysia.
Following the attack, the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim later that day unanimously condemned the incident.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail called on the public not to make assumptions and to let the police conduct a thorough investigation.
“It should be noted that acting recklessly without considering the law is an offence which, if proven, can incur severe penalties,” he said. – The Vibes, January 12, 2024.
