July 8, 2000
Press Statement:
Game Over, Let's Get Down to Business
Looking at the comedic performance by the Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib
Tun Razak, the IGP Tan Sri Norian Mai, Lt.-Jen Datuk Zaini Mohamed Said, the police
forces and the army in the fiasco of the Al Ma’unah arm heists, one wonders
whether the Barisan Nasional government is really competent to secure a lasting
social tranquility. I am sure the capture of 27 so-called Al Ma'unah gang
members is not the end of the whole drama. The authorities claimed that the
organization has several hundreds members across the nation. Possibly there
might be a series of crackdowns against the presumed fanatic group. In such
operations, the government could conveniently pick up political dissidents,
especially those who struggle in religious organizations.
The existence of the so-called Al Ma’unah group may also provide excuses for
the government to justify the continuation of the notorious ISA. Here I would
like to reiterate the Barisan Alternatif’s stand that the ISA should never be
used in whatever circumstances. The so-called Al Ma’unah members should not be
held under ISA—not because of human rights, but the public want the truth to be
revealed in open court. These members should be charged and stand trial as soon
as possible. We are concerned that the government may use ISA to cover up many
untold stories behind the incidence.
To convince the public that the Al Ma’unah group has a bona fide existence,
the authorities have to be absolutely transparent in the process of
investigation. I am disturbed that Norian Mai, Najib and Abdullah Badawi were
quick to make unsubstantiated and insinuative political accusations even before
the incidence had ended conclusively. It seems that they were eager to make the
incidence part of the political propaganda soon to be launched by the ruling
parties.
The five-day commotion has left us many doubts and mysteries. The clumsy
conducts of the Al Ma’unah gang hardly resembles any sophisticated terrorist
cult. Instead, the sequences of events are akin to the familiar episodes of
Hollywood action movies. Before the authorities conclude their inquest, we
should not rule out that the gang might be inspired by Rambo-like superheroes
rather than religious zeal.
Lt-Jen Datuk Zaini and his soldiers should commended for their adventurous
and heroic endeavor to finish off the gang in 8 minutes. Their decisive action
to confront the gang contrasted the cumbersome performance of the IGP and his
team of police force. Throughout the whole event, the IGP did not seem to treat
the hostage-taking incidence seriously. The media were not even given the
accurate identities of the hostages—the accounts changed from Chinese durian
pickers to Malay Ranger and policeman; however when the episodes ended, one
Iban private and one SB were the captives.
Being the chief commander in charge of the operation, Tan Sri Norian Mai
must accept full responsibility for his negligence had led to the unnecessary
sacrifice of two servicemen. An inquiry must be established to find out why the
police was slow to establish communication with the gang. In any hostage
incidence, the normal procedure is to negotiate for the hostage release before
starting to exchange fire. I was dismayed to learn from Bernama that Norian Mai
was reported refusing to entertain their demands because they requested
"ridiculous items such as cigarettes, food and batteries".
The IGP must answer truthfully what triggered the police to open fire at the
gang. According to news report, police had shot dead a gang member, which
provoked the revenge execution of the two hostages. Obviously, the IGP’s
failure to haul the crossfire was a fatal mistake.
The clumsy command of the IGP also gave the impression that there were poor
coordination and communication with the army. It was reported that Datuk Zaini
entered into the forest to negotiate for the gang’s surrender without being
informed that the hostages had been killed. Although Datuk Zaini should be
praised for his bravery, his decision to gamble with the gang leader empty
handed involved extraordinary high risk and fortunately it did not lead more
casualties. It is astonished that the IGP could have disregarded their safety
and approved this dangerous undertaking.
The incompetent performance of Norian Mai reflects poorly on the proficiency
of police forces. One begins to question the suitability and the
appropriateness of police forces to deal with terrorist-like incidence. For his
failure to prevent the tragic death, the IGP should be suspended. The Defence
Minister should also personally apologize to the families of the victims since
the root cause of the saga was the slackness in military administration. The
Minister could not evade his responsibility over the flawed security procedures
in the camps, which resulted havocs to the community around Sauk-Jenalek area
and misery to the innocent families of the victims.
To show that the government has nothing to hide, the BN should allow a
Parliamentary Inquiry consists of both ruling and opposition parties to
scrutinize all evidences related to the case. The authorities concerned must be
frank and transparent in providing all information. Otherwise the public will
continue to be skeptical over the authenticity of the so-called Al Ma’unah
terrorist group.
Tian Chua
Vice President
Parti KeADILan