PETALING JAYA: Outrageous and disgusting!
These are some comments by prominent Malaysians following the discovery of two bottles behind the rear tyres of lawyer Siti Kasim’s car which police believed to be an improvised explosive device (IED).
Former Cabinet minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said it was terrible how speaking frankly about issues made some people do all sorts of things in retaliation.
“Politics have certainly become toxic. It’s so divisive and to me it’s disgusting. Anyway, let us wait for the details,” she said.
Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said agreeing to disagree was an important aspect of a democratic society.
“Even if there are any major differences in opinion, it shouldn’t degenerate to a situation where such a thing could happen.
“We must be able to accept differences,” Lee said.
Lee also expressed relief that Siti Kasim was not harmed in the incident and gratitude to the police for their immediate attention.“Being a strong critic of many unjust things, she could have incurred the wrath of those concerned but there is no excuse for anyone to resort to such an act or any form of violence,” Lee added.
Former Bar Council president and activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said the act was very un-Malaysian and meant to cause fear in those who are outspoken about injustice in the country.
“What happened to Siti is outrageous! It was a good thing she sent her car for service.
“I urge the police to investigate this matter quickly and prosecute the perpetrators of this cowardly act,” she said, adding that she was happy Siti Kasim was safe.
Lawyer and Muda co-founder Lim Wei Jiet described the incident as shocking, adding that he felt politics was polarised.
“We can call vicious names in social media but it had never translated into physical violence or a threat of physical violence before. To see Siti Kasim talking about it is scary for us working in either politics or civil society.
“It evokes fear because now, it seems that disagreement doesn’t end verbally or on social media.
“Now people are following us and possibly trying to intimidate us,” he said.
Lim said there is a need to send a strong message that this kind of act is unacceptable.
