PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians can be assured of public safety while police carry out thorough investigations on the suspected arson attack against Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, says the Home Minister.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail urged Malaysians not to speculate on the matter as it could disrupt the ongoing case.
“We also reiterate public safety is guaranteed because this is the number one commitment of the police,” he said in a press conference yesterday.
He also warned Malaysians against acting against the law as there would be consequences.
“Reckless action without considering the due process of law can lead to severe punishment,” he said.
According to Saifuddin Nasution, the police were alerted to the fire at 2.55am yesterday while a team of six from the Fire and Rescue Department was sent to the scene to put out the blaze.
According to the police, he said, a car was completely destroyed while two other cars at Ngeh’s porch were damaged.
“The cars involved are registered under Ngeh’s name,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution said police found a bottle suspected to be a Molotov cocktail at Ngeh’s house.
He said the fire and rescue and police forensic teams are carrying out further investigations to ascertain the motive of the incident and the suspects involved.
He said the case is being classified as mischief by fire.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, in a statement, said police was tracking down the suspect involved in the hurling of the Molotov cocktail at the porch of Ngeh’s house in Ayer Tawar.
He also urged the public not to speculate as this could hamper investigations.
In MANJUNG, Ngeh said he forgave the person who wanted to burn his house, cars, and even harm his family if in any case they had been misled by falsehood and instigated by others to hate and commit violence.
He believed the incident was arson due to his recent suggestions to strengthen the Syariah Court system for Muslims.
As a lawyer of 38 years, he said he knew that it was never a happy life when a person was involved in a crime and had to live in fear.
“I want to tell the person (perpetrators) to turn over a new leaf, be good citizens, and do not cause worry to your family that ends in much pain and sleepless nights,” he said in a press conference at his service centre in Ayer Tawar near Manjung yesterday.
Ngeh said a broken bottle with an object resembling a fireworks candle taped to it was found near the porch of his house.
He added that he was not involved in any quarrel or dispute with anyone and the only reason he suspected this was arson was due to his media statement on Dec 28 last year.
Recalling the incident, Ngeh said his wife heard someone ringing their door bell at about 2.50am yesterday.
When his wife looked out the window, Ngeh said she heard someone shouting “fire fire” in Chinese.
“When we rushed downstairs, I saw one of my cars on fire. Two other cars were also damaged slightly.
“I called the fire station and the police immediately, and their quick response saved my house from being burnt down,” he said.
When asked, Ngeh said he had not received any threatening calls prior to this.
“No, we have been staying here for so many years. I know everyone in Ayer Tawar.
“Therefore I never even installed a CCTV, as my area is really safe, and everyone is good to me.
“After this incident, I think I need to instal a CCTV,” he added.
Ngeh said he has been labelled as anti-Islam, but that was never the case.
“As an MP, I try to solve all problems brought to me. I want to help the voiceless and downtrodden,” he said.
Ngeh, who had earlier sparked controversy over his suggestions to strengthen the Syariah Court system for Muslims, had apologised and retracted his earlier statement that called for non-Muslims to be included in a special committee formed by the Federal Government to study the Syariah law.
He had said that it was not his intention to interfere in the management of Islamic affairs and that he had initially thought the government was seeking proposals to amend the Federal Constitution.
