Attempt on Siti Kasim’s life

Devastated: Siti Kasim speaking with police outside the service centre.

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyer Siti Kasim had been planning a trip to Kelantan to visit the Orang Asli, whose lives she helps to improve.

She is now worried about her own life after a makeshift device, believed to be a home-made bomb, was found under her car.

The activist was left in shock at the discovery.

“I don’t want to be upset over this but somehow it is upsetting,” said Siti, who was on the verge of tears.

“I don’t know why some people would think that by killing me, everything will be quiet or that they could set an example.

“These people are morons and inhuman ... anything I have said all this while was for the good of our country,” she said, adding that she hoped that those responsible for strapping the bomb behind her car’s rear tyre will be caught soon.

In a Facebook Live session, the activist said police were working hard on the investigation.

“Kuala Lumpur police chief (Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain) went to the scene and assured me the police will give it their all,” she said.

“The police checked my car and tested how the culprit managed to hook the bottles to the wheel,” she said.

“I was worried my dear old car would have been blown up.”

Siti Kasim had sent the car for service as she wanted to drive to Kelantan for a case tomorrow.

“After I dropped off my car, I went for lunch. Suddenly, my mechanic called me and told me about the object underneath the car,” she said.

After she alerted police, the service centre was evacuated but a large crowd gathered in Jalan Maarof in Bangsar as the Bomb Squad conducted its operation.

Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Amihizam Abdul Shukor said the contraption, with two bottles and some wires, found behind the rear tyre of the car was believed to be an improvised explosive device (IED).

He said police received a distress call at about 1pm yesterday.

“We immediately sent the Bomb Squad while the Fire and Rescue Department was also on hand. The Bomb Squad managed to dispose of both bottles believed to be an IED,” he told reporters.

He said the bottles would be sent to experts for analysis.

ACP Amihizam said police would conduct further investigations.

“We have not recorded Siti’s statements, but verbally, we discovered she did not have any enemy. However, we will investigate,” he added.

Siti Kasim, meanwhile, said she thanked God that she had sent her car for service. Otherwise, she would not have discovered the object.

Siti Kasism, however, will not be fazed by the incident, She will still be travelling to Kelantan for the Orang Asli case tomorrow.