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'The spate of hate crimes must be stopped'
Free Malaysia Today - August 19, 2011
He also blames acts of political violence in other parts of the country on these political extremists. He said these extremists were resorting to hate crime because they refuse to exhaust existing avenues to settle political differences.
He added that these people should have adopted diplomatic channels to raise grievances, address contentious issues and find amicable solutions to problems.
"No religion or civilised community would condone such hate crimes. It's a violent act of political desperation by anti-democratic elements," Liew told FMT, referring to the Penang DAP headquarters fire in the early hours yesterday.
Stacks of newspapers placed at the building's front portion were torched about 3am. The incident happened just four days after their premise in Jalan Talipon was splashed with red paint.
Several politically motivated hate crimes took place in the country, especially in Penang, in the past few months.
Among them were splashing of green paint at the service centre of Komtar state representative Ng Wei Aik, who is also Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's political secretary.
Other incidents were displaying posters defaming Lim, splashing green paint at the house of Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng and splashing yellow paint at Umno Cheras and Bandar Tun Razak branch premises.
A rowdy protest by Suara Anak-Anak Mamak Pulau Pinang (SAMPP) disrupted a press conference held by Bersih coordinator Toh Kin Woon outside the state police headquarters in Jalan Penang on June 29.
A day before families of detained Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) were intimidated by thugs outside the Seberang Perai Utara police headquarters in Kepala Batas.
On July 1, Umno and SAMPP leaders and members staged a riot in the city centre and Penang Bridge to condemn Lim's support for Bersih rally on July 9.
Despite all these incidents, police have not revealed the findings of their investigations nor have any person been detained or charged for these crimes.
Liew called on the police to immediately probe into all political crimes taking place in the country and reveal their findings.
"Political hate crime cannot go on unabated. This is unhealthy trend that would halt the country's growth as a vibrant and just democracy," said Liew who is also DAP national international bureau secretary.
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