Leave it to the cops

In good hands: The Fire and Rescue Department putting out the fire at Ngeh’s house last Wednesday. It’s best for investigations to be left to the police, says the writer. — Photo courtesy of the Fire and Rescue Department

REPORTERS from Singapore’s media, whether based in Kuala Lumpur or their country, keep close tabs on the political developments in Malaysia daily.

After all, our politicians are adept at being newsmakers unlike their Singapore counterparts.

Malaysia makes it into the front pages more than Singapore’s PAP leaders and unfortunately, often for the wrong reasons.

This isn’t a case of bad publicity being publicity nonetheless because we’d prefer to keep our politics mundane like on the island republic.

Politics is toxic and unproductive in Malaysia, where race and religion are part of the daily recipe of every issue, and outsiders reading about these explosive debates might expect things to go off the rails.

But despite the rattling of pots and pans, the racket never amounts to violence. There are no riots, assassinations, racial conflicts or worse, civil war.

Protests are rather tame since organisers work with the police to ensure they disperse once the protest note is handed over.

By and large, our politics never crosses the line of extremism because we’re a middle-class country.

Malaysia prides itself on being a stable nation with a population that has great tolerance and is peaceful, despite its multiracial and multi-religious fabric.

Our people can’t afford to stay on the streets for months, unlike say, Bangkok, because we must all report to work. Basically, prolonged rent-a-crowd protests aren’t feasible here.

Malaysia isn’t a despot country either, unlike Myanmar, where the military has slowly begun losing to the various ethnic rebel groups that have opted to work together to fight the oppressive junta.

The police investigating a 'bomb-like' object under Siti Kasim's car last year. — Agencies

In Indonesia, protests can also get out of control, especially those initiated by religious groups which can mobilise huge crowds.

What happened last week when a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the home of Perak DAP Member of Parliament Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham is rare indeed. Three vehicles belonging to the MP for Beruas caught fire as a result.

It’s commendable that PAS quickly condemned the attack, saying burning and destroying property is unacceptable regardless of political difference, especially when it puts a person’s property or life at risk.

Likewise, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has also rebuked the attack.

Ngeh, who has apologised for his proposal to include non-Muslims on a committee studying the conflicts between syariah laws and the Federal Constitution, has since withdrawn his remarks.

He has also forgiven those behind the incident at his home saying the perpetrators might have been misled by falsehoods and instigated by others into committing the crime.

It’s best for investigations to be left to the police. There’s little to gain from jumping to conclusions, pointing fingers and prematurely blaming without proper evidence. After all, it would only create more tension.

Give the police time and space to do their work. In fact, our cops should also probe Netizens who posted seditious comments on the act of arson.

The attack is unacceptable, and the culprits need to be arrested and charged swiftly to send a strong message.

Malaysia doesn’t condone such violent acts and those responsible must face the consequences.

In my 38-year journalism career, I can only recall a single assassination, that of MIC Lunas state assemblyman Dr Joe Fernandez in 2000, when he was shot dead in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Many believed it was an act of terrorism although an open verdict was declared. To this day, the real motive remains a mystery.

Eighteen years after the incident, the Special Coroner’s Court ruled that his assassination had nothing to do with business, political or personal reasons.

Last July, there was an attempted hit on outspoken activist lawyer Siti Kasim, where an explosive device was planted under her car. Until now, the police have yet to find any leads, which is most disappointing.

Let’s hope that with the attack on Ngeh’s house, the police will be able to resolve it with proper answers. We’re confident that our Polis Diraja Malaysia will do their best for the nation’s peace and harmony.