'Death awaits you' – Threat shocks DAP rep

A DAP assemblyperson in Penang has received a death threat over a malicious slander that she would attack Islamic institutions – particularly the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) – for the sake of her party.

First-term Seri Delima assemblyperson Syerleena Abdul Rashid said she received the death threat via a note in her postbox at 3.30pm yesterday.

"It is a threat to my safety and life. I saw it when I went out to get my letters, I felt scared and shocked as it is a serious threat," Syerleena said at a press conference at her service centre in George Town.

The handwritten note reads "Maut menanti mu" (death awaits you).

Syerleena lodged a report at the Jelutong police station on the note, which accompanied two malicious and slanderous messages – the first saying that she would attack all Islamic institutions, and the second that she would fight for Christianity to be made the official religion of the country.

She added that the police have taken the original copies of the notes for forensic study, and the evidence would be sent to Bukit Aman.

The allegations first went viral on social media in March and August last year, and began to resurface in about a month before the 14th general election. 

Syerleena had previously lodged police reports on the allegations.

"I received many messages which are negative in nature. I have lodged police reports and have identified several Facebook posts related to the claims, about which I have notified the police," she said.

Syerleena urged the police to take swift action, stating they should no longer use the excuse that these Facebook pages are being operated by users overseas.

"Hopefully, there will be action soon, now that we have a new government. This (the false claims and threats) has gone on for too long and it is ridiculous.

"I don't know the motive and I don't know who sent this death note, but we suspect it is connected to these allegations against me," Syerleena added.

-Mkini