KUCHING: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has urged the police to establish a specialised investigation team to thoroughly probe the Molotov cocktail attack on a KK Mart outlet in Satok last Sunday.
PBK president Voon Lee Shan in a statement, said that such act is a serious case and it is the third attack in the country against the Sarawak-based company.
“This cowardly act of violence constitutes an act of terrorism, capable of disrupting the unity and peace we are presently enjoying among the diverse populace in Sarawak.
“The authorities should not treat the case as just being normal or not serious enough that only demands or requires routine investigation,” he said.
Expressing concern over the classification of the case under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage, he urged for a re-evaluation for the case to be investigated under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 to effectively combat terrorism in all its forms.
Voon, who is also a former senior police officer, pointed out that it is to ensure that no individual can escape from any legal action if they are involved in acts of violence and incitement of hate.
“In addition, the police can also use Sedition Act 1948 against haters or people who spread or propagate any material that has a ‘seditious tendency’ to cause disharmony against various races and religions in the country,” he said.
He added that the people in the streets are now living in fear, and the authorities should not discount the possibility of similar attacks on shopping malls and public places by such individuals or groups of people.
In order to allay the fears of the public against terrorism, Voon urged the police to update the public on their actions or progress of their investigation from time to time.
“As taxpayers, members of the public have a right to know the progress of police investigation into the case,” he said.
