Sanjeevan emerges stronger after shooting

MyWatch chairman says more participation in whistleblowing needed to fight crime and corruption.

KAJANG: Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force chairman (MyWatch) R Sanjeevan says he is more determined than ever to fight crime and corruption and will continue to work with the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) despite being shot at point-blank range last year.

He said crime and corruption were issues that required a vocal and independent organisation that did not take sides like MyWatch.

In recalling the shooting incident, Sanjeevan explains how he was shot in the abdomen by two men on a motorcycle while driving in Bahau, Negri Sembilan, on July 27 last year in what was widely believed to be an assassination attempt to silence him.

He said the bullet hit his arm and lodged in his chest and was subsequently removed on Aug 15.

Sanjeevan says, “I was shot at point blank range barely eight months after starting MyWatch.

“I have been threatened via texts and there were a few incidents when people tried to rough me up, but I did not expect to be staring into a gun barrel,” he said in an exclusive interview with FMT.

Sanjeevan says he is still recovering from the incident which has affected the fine motor-control of his left hand.

Expressing his disappointment at how the case was handled by the police, Sanjeeva relates that despite speculation on who the perpetrators were, police eventually closed the case and classified it as ‘No Further Action’.

“I was obviously disappointed at the conclusion of the investigation. It was a painful experience for me and my family,” he said.

When asked about how MyWatch came to be, Sanjeevan explained it started with former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Musa Hassan, who like him felt the necessity of setting up a non-governmental agency willing to be vocal about crime.

He pointed out that at the time, there were no other non-governmental agencies that did it.

“The people who are supposed to keep corruption and crime out of the enforcement agencies are neither doing enough nor are they vocal about it.

“I discussed this idea with the former IGP and with his support, started this venture,” he said.

Sanjeevan explained that MyWatch operates in Menara CIMB, Kuala Lumpur, with about 30 staff, primarily funded by himself and a few other donors who share the organisation’s vision and goals.

In explaining the exit of Musa Hassan, Sanjeevan said, “Musa left to start his own organisation that includes former police officers. We still maintain a great relationship and I still go to him for advice.”

He said he would like more public participation in whistleblowing and more people coming forward to volunteer information.

“Anyone can sign up for membership on our website and there is a hotline number for information. Everything we do is within the law,” he said.

Sanjeevan admits that there are people out there trying to stop him from doing his work.

“I’m prepared for whatever they are going to throw at me. They might charge me under the Official Secrets Act or the Sedition Act, but we are operating within the law.

“We would like to work with law enforcement agencies especially the police and already have an agreement with the MACC for a future initiative.

Sanjeevan said although he was vocal about current IGP Khalid Abu Bakar, due credit had to be given to him for his energy and initiatives in improving the police force.