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For
the High Resolution picture of Member of Parliament Dato' Seri Tiong King
Sing JP
 05/02/2008:
Victim threaten by Molotov Cocktail asked to move house, Tiong urges KPD Sibu to carry out detail probe |
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| BINTULU: Bintulu
Member of Parliament Dato Seri Tiong King Sing was shocked that a policeman
in Sibu had asked a victim to move house instead of giving him protection
when he reported an extortion case.
In a press statement yesterday, Tiong, who is also a Justice of the Peace, was disappointed of such an irresponsible act, asking the police whether they had the capability to protect the people. He said he had received a complaint from the extortion victim, claiming that he had also been threatened of harm in the crime, "and because the police had failed to act, the victim has continued to receive the same threats trice since December. "The extortionist has demanded him to pay a huge sum as well." Tiong said the police in Sibu had confirmed of having received such reports. He hoped the police would investigate fully. "This is not the only complaint of extortion that I have received. There are also similar complaints from Bintangor and Sibu, and even from Kuching." He said the police's protection to the people was important, especially when they were gearing up for the festive celebration now. In the alleged extortion in Sibu, lit fire crackers were thrown into the house of a man in Taman Indah and exploded in his garage at 3 am on Sunday, causing damage to his car and gate. Shortly later, the man received a call from the extortionist, demanding him to pay RM100,000, or else, he would not be able to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The victim claimed this was the third time that he had received such threats of harm. In the first threat last December, the criminal threw an empty bottle into his house before calling him up to demand a payment. In the second threat, a Molotov cocktail was thrown into his house, and again, he received the telephone call from the same criminal to demand for money. The victim of Taman Indah said two of his friends had also received similar threats. Tiong was disappointed that when the victim sought the police's help, a policeman had asked him to move out instead of protecting him. "Three reports have been lodged. The criminal is still walking free." The member of parliament said it was understandable of the victim had become scared. "He and his family just want to celebrate a peaceful Chinese New Year." He said the police should appreciate the efforts of the people to give them crime information. "If the police asked the victim to move away in cases like this, it shows that they are incapable." He hoped extortion cases would not increase as the Chinese New Year approached. "The people have the right to enjoy a peaceful celebration, and the police must ensure this basic quality of life for them." He said there were victims in Sarawak who claimed they had been reluctant to lodge their respective reports because they had no confidence in the police. "There must always be a close cooperation between the people and the police, and not distrust." Tiong said if crime situation like this was not checked, criminals would become more daring and they would take the law into their own hand. He said the extortion victims must not only be protected, but, the police must ensure a thorough investigation to book the criminals. "Otherwise, there sill be no justice for the people." Tiong said when he visited the new Sarawak Commissioner of Police, he would voice these problems out to him on behalf of the people. In the alleged cases involving the two friends of the Taman Indah victim, the pair had also recently been threatened. In the case of the first friend, two empty bottles were hurled into his house last month. The criminal called to demand him to pay RM50,000. In the case of the second friend, a Molotov cocktail was thrown into his house at Jalan Tong Sang. The criminal called him to demand for RM50,000 too. The three victims believe the series of threats had come from the same criminal because he used the same hand phone to call. The criminal is believed to be a Chinese because he spoke Foochow. Tiong said the criminal is still walking free. |
