A rights group has urged the Pakatan Harapan government to get to the bottom of the Wang Kelian mass graves incident in Perlis as part of their push for human rights reforms.
“With the new Pakatan Harapan government in power, there is a chance to finally cut through the lies and web of deception that have been spun to keep this massive crime under wraps.
“It is time to investigate the rot of local authorities’ collusion with the human traffickers on such a large scale that has resulted in all these deaths and surely more that we have yet to uncover,” said Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen in a statement.
“If there is to be any real commitment for the recognition and respect for human rights by the new government, it is imperative that investigating the Wang Kelian mass graves is also included in their human rights agenda and reform,” he said.
Paulsen said the matter was pressing as evidence would have disappeared with time since the graves, believed to be linked to human trafficking, was exposed three years ago.
“Three years on, although it is likely that much evidence has been destroyed or lost to the passage of time, justice demands that this crucial task be carried out and the world be made aware of the true gravity behind these mass graves.”
He said deputy prime minister of the time, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's response to a parliamentary question on the mass graves was unsatisfactory, and the authorities' actions in charging four foreigners for human trafficking offences was insufficient.
This, he said is in light of 12 police officers who were previously detained over the matter not being charged due to a purported “lack of evidence”.
“Such poor investigative and prosecution record on the most shameful human trafficking scandal in Malaysia’s history must be compared to Thailand, where at least 62 persons including local Thai officials and a three-star general, were charged and convicted of human trafficking and other offences.”
Paulsen repeated his call for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to be formed to investigate the mass graves and the alleged subsequent cover-up by the authorities.
“Those found responsible, irrespective of their current or former posts, must be held accountable and prosecuted for their crimes.” - Mkini
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