Siti Kasim says attempt on her life 'an act of terrorism'

PETALING JAYA: Lawyer-activist Siti Kasim has called the recent attempt on her life an act of terrorism by people looking to silence her right to free speech.

Siti claimed that the two bottles that are believed to be improvised explosive devices (IED) had been planted on her car in an attempt to silence her vocal views against the use of religion in politics.

"I personally do not have any enemies that I know of, nor do I see any reason for someone to directly go after a lawyer like myself,” she said.

Siti added that the only reason she could think of is that someone with extremist views of religion targeted her as she has been a very vocal advocate against the use of religion in politics

"These people are keen to silence me as they don’t seem to understand that I have never criticised Islam but only the inappropriate use of Islam in politics," she told The Star.

Siti then expressed her disappointment by the lack of condemnation against the life-threatening act by political leaders.

"I am not anyone special but to have a bomb placed in my car which could endanger not just me but the lives of other people should be regarded as an act of terrorism.

"Despite this being such a potentially deadly national event, I have yet to hear any public statements from the political leaders condemning it," she said, adding that she was currently using a rented car to get around.

She added that two undisclosed ministers had also privately contacted her after the incident which she appreciated greatly.

On July 21, a suspected IED was found attached under Siti’s car after she brought it to a workshop for servicing.

Earlier on Monday (July 24), Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain was quoted by a Malay news portal as saying that the incident was suspected to be attempted murder.