When human rights lawyer and vocal socio-political critic Siti Kasim survived an assassination attempt on her life, social media went into overdrive at the bomb threat in downtown Kuala Lumpur; but it was the silence of the Madani government that has shocked many Malaysians.

From the prime minister down to home minister and minister of justice, not a word or short statement has been issued about this terrorist activity. 

Our politicians, including the opposition MPS, do not have the guts to condemn the brutality and violent threat on Siti’s life.

Their silence is disturbing and reflects badly on them.

Would they have issued an immediate condemnation only if Siti had been killed or seriously injured?

Ministers have nothing to fear as they are surrounded by bodyguards.

The failure to recognize the consequences and dangers of the bomb threat shows how this government has failed to get a grip on the nation.

It is not everyday that a prominent lawyer receives a bomb threat. Activists have been murdered and received death threats in the past; but the use of a bomb is a departure from the norm.

It is an act of terrorism, and will prompt a culture of fear, if it is not nipped in the bud.

The bomb threat is not a small matter. Without condemnation from the government, insurgents and other mischief makers may take the government’s silence as indifference, and it may encourage other copy-cat bomb makers.

Failing to take a few minutes off their election campaigning to reassure the public and the international community says a lot about the government.

Siti had taken her car for servicing and that was when the mechanics discovered what the police described as an improvised explosive device (IED) a.k.a. a bomb, attached to the undercarriage.

Bomb threats are not a joking matter and each one should be taken seriously.

Most Malaysians expressed horror at the threat on Siti’s life, and were relieved that the bomb had not exploded. Bombs can be detonated in many ways.

Siti was due to drive up to Kelantan for an important court case, and it is probable that the bomb could have been primed to explode mid-journey, such as a bump in the road, or once she picks up speed. Who knows?

The prime minister or home minister or justice minister have badly managed this bomb threat.

Where is the reassurance from the PM that there is no danger to national security?

No one is asking the PM to interfere in police investigations, but his message to the public is for them to remain calm and that the security forces have the situation under control.

Malaysians need to hear this from the PM or home minister, not anyone else.

The other reason for speaking out is to warn the public to be vigilant, to look out for one another and to report to the police any suspicious activity of strangers tampering with the underside of cars.

Another reason is to instill confidence in the international community, such as foreign investors and tourists.

It is unacceptable that the bomb threat failed to cause ripples in the government.

It is unacceptable that the bomb threat failed to cause ripples in the government.

For most people, especially in the West and the Middle East, car bombs are a horrible reminder of the sectarian violence of Northern Ireland, the civil war in Lebanon, and areas of conflict around the world like Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Afghanistan.

For these places, the car bomb is the terrorist’s weapon of choice. He does not have to carry bulky weapons through the streets because all that is needed is for him to manufacture the bomb in the privacy of his kitchen, then fix the device to the victim’s car with no one watching.

The bomb can kill one person such as the intended target or a hundred people, if the terrorist’s cause or organization needs maximum publicity.

Most bomb makers leave a signature as they usually have a preference for certain components. Will the police’s forensic team isolate the components which will eventually lead them to the perpetrators?

If memory serves me right, the last high-profile woman to have been murdered in Malaysia by plastic explosives was Altantuya Shaariibuu, the Mongolian model.

Her death shocked the nation not just in its brutality and violence, but her murder was mired in political intrigue and alleged connections with a former prime minister.

The case is still largely unresolved and is still mired in controversy to this day.

It was alleged that Altantuya was killed to silence her as she was becoming an embarrassment to a future PM and allegedly knew many secrets about the purchase of Scorpene submarines.

So, fast forward to this day, and the questions are plentiful.

Why was Siti targeted?

Was the purpose of the bomb to scare her and silence her?

Or was the bomb to get rid of her for good because she was too vocal?

Was the bomb to make an example of her so that others will think twice about criticizing matters which involve governance, rule of law, minority rights, injustice, LGBT, religious extremism and racism?

Was the bomb threat to start a culture of fear in Malaysia?

Who commissioned the bomb maker and what was his motive?

Is he an individual, or does he belong to an organization?

Dialogue, and not bombs, is how one settles differences in opinion.

Sources:

1. Malaysiakini: Siti Kasim decries attempt on life after ‘bomb’ found on car
2. Aliran: Attempt on Siti Kasim’s life – most foul and despicable!
3. Malaysiakini: Cops record 12 statements so far in Siti Kasim’s car bomb probe
4. Lim Kit Siang blog: Bomb attempt on Siti Kasim must be denounced by everyone in the strongest possible terms
5. The Straits Times: Malaysia cops suspect object found under lawyer-activist Siti Kasim’s car is a bomb
6. Alliran: Patriot takes bomb planting incident seriously

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)