Firebombs are acts of terrorism, says MP

 

Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau said Ngeh Koo Ham of DAP had revealed that no one has yet been charged over the attack on his home in January. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: An MP from Sabah, describing recent firebombing incidents as acts of terrorism, has questioned whether law enforcement is as serious as the law is about terrorism.

Wilfred Madius Tangau, MP for Tuaran, said: “Our law is serious about terrorism. Do we see the same seriousness in law enforcement?”

He described the petrol bomb attacks – two this week against KK Mart shops and one in January at an MP’s home in Perak – as acts of terrorism as defined by the Penal Code, which he said spells out a jail term and fines for anyone who knowingly “incites or promotes the commission of a terrorist act”.

He said Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham of DAP had revealed that no one had been charged over the attack on his home despite the Perak police chief stating that the two suspects would be charged with mischief by fire.

Tangau said that only when budding terrorists were pursued with maximum seriousness could the country deter copycats. “Zero tolerance of domestic terrorism, even if executed by lone wolves, is important to stop the spiral of violence.”

If Malaysia failed to enforce the rule of law and ensure political stability it would negate Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s “relentless efforts” to secure investments, he said.

“Forget about attracting foreign investment, we will be seeing flight of domestic capital instead,” said Tangau, a former Upko president.

The attack on Ngeh’s home came after he stirred controversy by suggesting that non-Muslim constitutional experts be appointed to a committee reviewing the jurisdiction of shariah courts according to the Federal Constitution. Ngeh later apologised and withdrew his proposal.

This week, petrol bombs were also thrown at two KK Mart shops in Bidor, Perak, and Kuantan, Pahang, following controversy over the sale of socks bearing the word “Allah”.

KK Mart has apologised for the incident, and its founder and a vendor have since been charged in court for wounding religious feelings. - FMT