NATIONAL Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang has called for those responsible for yesterday's petrol bomb attack on a KK Super Mart outlet in Sungai Isap, Kuantan to be brought to justice.
He stressed that there is no place for violence in society and that every individual involved in such actions must be brought to justice.
"This act not only violates the laws of the country but also threatens the peace and security among the multiethnic, multiracial, and multi-religious communities.
"I call upon all parties to refrain from engaging in any actions that may incite racial polemics and undermine the sensitivity of our diverse society," he said in a statement.
He urged all Malaysians to embrace the principles of understanding, respect and acceptance to foster harmony and diversity in our society.
"I believe that the solidarity and spirit of togetherness among Malaysians will be the main defence against threats to national unity and harmony.
"National security and the unity of the people are collective responsibilities that we must all uphold," he added.
Yesterday, a second KK Mart outlet was attacked with a petrol bomb, just a few days after the first attack on March 26.
Kuantan police chief Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said the incident occurred at about 5.14 am at the outlet in Sungai Isap.
The petrol bomb burst into flames on the carpet and several items at the front of the outlet were on fire.
A cashier managed to grab a fire extinguisher and doused the fire, while another employee called their manager.
The manager contacted the police and Fire and Rescue Department.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspect may have thrown the petrol bomb from a distance to avoid being caught by the CCTVs.
Tuaran MP, Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Home Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, and DIGP Datuk Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay who once headed the Police’s counter-terrorism branch to act immediately and stop domestic terrorism.
He said the attacks on KK Mart outlets and the Jan 10 incident at the home of Beruas MP, Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham in Perak were acts of terrorism and immediate action must be taken.
"Our law is serious about terrorism, but we do not see the same seriousness in law enforcement," he said.
He said on Jan 16, Perak police chief, Datuk Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said two suspects in the attack on Ngeh’s home would be charged under Section 435 of the Penal Code for ‘mischief by fire’ which carries a maximum jail term of 14 years.
"I just checked with Ngeh and learned that sadly no one has been charged after two and a half months. I urge the to assure Malaysians that the three petrol bomb cases at KK Super Mart outlets and Ngeh’s home, would be investigated under Sections 130B of the Penal Code.
"The Police should also investigate and charge anyone who had incited or promoted such an act," he said.
The last time Malaysia saw serial violence in the name of religion was 14 years ago when churches, mosques and gurdwara were burned or desecrated in January 2010, after rage was incited against the High Court’s ‘Allah’ verdict, said Madius.
"The Government and police must get their logic right: suppressing 3R expression is only justified if it can prevent violence, and don't come down hard (and selectively) on 3R expressions while appearing soft on violence.
"I call upon Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Nor to secure the commitment of the police 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. Of course, I pray that sanity prevails in the entire Malaysia. Whatever our political opinion, we Malaysians must unite to condemn political violence and terrorism," he added. - The Vibes, March 31, 2024
