Ali Tinju, the leader of extremist group Gerakan Merah, has threatened Maria Chin by saying the Bersih leader “tidak akan berjalan di atas bumi”.
His words tantamount to a death threat. By saying that “even if I have to spend 10 years’ in prison, I don’t mind” means that Ali Tinju is aware that what he intends to do towards Maria Chin is a crime.
However, our police have failed to take any action against him until now.
In contrast, when a 24-year old university undergraduate threatening to bomb Najib Razak’s helicopter in 2012, he was immediately detained for questioning.
Last month, a team of 14 PDRM and MCMC officers raided the house of a pregnant woman for insulting Rosmah Mansoh, the First Lady of Malaysia.
Earlier in July, an elderly man was arrested for sharing a photo in a WhatsApp group that the police claimed was insulting to Najib.
If any ordinary Malaysia says it publicly that “Najib / Rosmah tidak akan berjalan di atas bumi”, that person will be immediately arrested by our police.
But now, 48 hours has lapsed, why still no action taken against Ali Tinju?
Even if PDRM does not agree with Bersih, Maria Chin as a Malaysia deserves all the protection promised under the laws, ie to live free from fear, violence and abuse.
Police inaction is inexcusable; its silence is equal to encouraging the thugs like Ali Tinju to take laws into their hands. Is that what the police want?