ANY ACTION, PM NAJIB? Another shooting - man shot dead in Cheras by gunmen

KUALA LUMPUR - In the space of 3 days, assassins on motorbikes have struck twice in Malaysia's capital city.

The first was a day ago on Friday where the victim - a gold dealer - was lucky enough to survive despite assailants firing 3 shots at him when he stopped his car at a traffic light in Pandan Indah.

Today, in Cheras Perdana not too far away from Pandah Indah, another 'contract-style hit' was carried out. This time it was fatal.

An ex-convict was shot dead in the living room of a house in Cheras Perdana, Batu 9, Cheras today.  In the 1.30pm incident, the 36-year-old victim was shot three times in the chest.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Rashid Abdul Wahab said the suspects, two men on a motorcycle, arrived at the house on Jalan CP 3/24 in the Cheras Perdana housing estate minutes before the incident.

"The victim was identified as Selangor-born B. Balamurali, who was just released from jail in June," NST reported Rashid as saying.

It is learnt that the police forensics team is currently conducting investigations at the crime scene. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Only talk, not enough action

Meanwhile, alarmed members of the public are piling pressure on Prime Minister Najib Razak's government to take swift action.

So far, there has been little follow-through other than calls from some of his Cabinet colleagues and Umno party mates to bring back the Emergency Ordinance and the Internal Security Act to deal with serious crimes.

This has prompted criticism that Najib was being opportunistic and making use of the spate of shootings that have terrified Malaysians over the past few months to renege on his promise to repeal the draconian Sedition Act as well as reinstate the oppressive EO and ISA.

"The government must study and implement effective measures to fight crime rather than debate about resurrecting the ISA and EO or divert attention with talk about new laws for preventive detention," MP for Batu Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Crime is crime. You need to fight crime by getting more cops on the job and onto the streets and not keep them in administration and other areas that serve the political interests of his party and Cabinet."

Prove them wrong by stopping the killings, not by polemics

It is also ironic that Foreign Minister Anifah Aman and Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar have jumped at a Singapore newspaper for purportedly putting out a sensational headline that they claim portrays Malaysia negatively - 'Welcome to Malaysia Where.... Death is Cheap and Staying Alive Costly'.

However, given the latest shooting, unless the Malaysian authorities can raise their game, it looks like not only will the criminals here but also the foreign media will have the last laugh on their tepid efforts.

"I think less talk all round and more action. This is really serious and I think the police and the government are caught in a situation they cannot control. But they must somehow face up to it and take steps rather than divert attention with nonsensical verbiage. Just get on with the job. Not only are Malaysians afraid for their safety, I think many foreigners now have a very bad image of our country," said Tian.

So far, Tourism Minister Nazri Aziz is one of the few in the government who has admitted the gravity of the situation and its repercussions. He also said he felt the Singapore news report was fair.

"The shootings just occurred and the repercussions may take a little time. I am concerned that if this situation is prolonged it may have a negative impact on our tourism industry," Nazri was reported as saying by Bernama.

"If we ourselves are fearful, you cannot blame them. I feel it's a fair report. It's not something against us, as Singapore also sells tour packages to Johor such as Legoland and Hello Kitty. This is something that affects them as well."

Malaysia Chronicle