http://dapmalaysia.org 
 

Press Statement by Karpal Singh in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, 7th October 2008: 

Complete breakdown in law and order in Malaysia?

Datuk S Krishnasamy, former Johore Tenggaroh State Assemblyman and Johore MIC Deputy Chief was brutally murdered on 11th January, 2008 at about 2.20 pm in the lift in the MIC building in Johore Bahru. He was shot point blank in the eye.

Datuk Krishnasamy was active in politics for more than 30 years and contributed tremendously to the public. He was responsible for building temples, schools and even helped in the building of mosques in Johore.

Since his murder by a gunman, several suspects, including some from the MIC itself, had been arrested, but released on police bail and presumably are still on police bail.

There appears to have been a political motive for the murder.

The police have been unhelpful to the family in providing for an in-depth and thorough investigation. They have no one to turn to assist in their predicament. Even the MIC leadership has distanced itself from the family leaving it in a pathetic and distraught state.

Hardly a day passes in the country when there is no murder. Many high-profile cases, including the murder of Dr Joe Fernandez and recently the murder of Penang lawyer, Datuk S P Annamalai, have yet to be so1ved. In fact, even the murder of the late IGP Datuk Abdul Rahman Hashirn, which occurred as far back as 1974 in broad daylight in Kuala Lumpur, has yet to be solved.

I wish to know the number of suspects who were arrested in respect of Datuk Krishnasamy’s murder. I understand recently, a prime suspect arrested by the police was released, re-arrested under the Emergency (Public Order & Prevention of Crime) Ordinance, 1969 and even released thereafter from detention.

I wish to know why the police are unable to solve Datuk Krishnasamy’s murder.

There appears to be a complete loss of law and order in the country. The more murders remain unsolved, the more would-be murderers are emboldened into committing crimes of violence leading to the effect of deterrence being minimal.

If our police force is ill-equipped to solve serious crimes, including murders in the country, this will lead to ultimate complete breakdown in law and order. The Government must give first priority to this sad state of affairs. Public confidence in the police force now is at its lowest ebb. With sophisticated measures to combat crime, including DNA, I cannot understand why the police are unable to effectively solve the rampant crimes
committed in the courifry.

I call upon the Government to enlist the services of the police in Singapore which is well-equipped with modern techniques to combat crime. Singapore has a police force of international caliber and credentials. Singapore is our close neighbour and was at one time a component part of Malaysia. We must admit stern and effective measures are required to ensure the protection of every citizen in the country. It is the Government’s duty to provide effective protection.

I will be taking up this matter in Parliament when it resumes sitting on 13th October and I hope I will get a positive response from the Minister of Home Affairs as to the apparent inability of the police to have, up to now, being unable to trace Datuk Krishnasamy’s killer and also those who were accessories before the fact. Datuk Krishnasamy’s murder obviously was not the act of a lone killer. To my mind, personalities in high places are responsible for the act of the gunman resulting in Datuk Krishnasamy’s murder. The police should act without fear or favour. The police should show more professionalism in solving crime. There have been numerous cases of hitmen getting away with murder of late.

Early this year, a live bullet was sent to me by post. Up to now, there has been no effective investigation to apprehend those responsible for having tried to intimidate me.

Recently, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s family home was pelted with molotov cocktails. Here, again there was an attempt to intimidate a politician in carrying out her duties.

If the present trend of lawlessness is not effectively countered, we are at risk of losing foreign tourists and foreign investment which we can ill-afford, particularly so, in view of the creeping recession. The national budget provides for a substantial fund to the police. These funds ought to be meaningfully used to ensure peace and security in the country.


* Karpal Singh, DAP National Chairman & MP for Bukit Gelugor