Related News: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/07/934762/c4-center-condemns-attempt-lawyer-siti-kasims-life
Coverage by: The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) has condemned the attempt on activist and lawyer Siti Zabedah Kassim’s life.
The centre urged the police to prioritise the investigation so that the perpetrators could be brought to justice.
“The recent attempt on Siti Kasim’s life is a cause for alarm and completely unacceptable as it indicates the hostile environment faced by local activists and human rights defenders.”
The group said this was not the first time activists faced such threats.
“Enforced disappearances against social activists have taken place multiple times, such as the cases of Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat who still remain missing without explanation.
“While there are no recent cases of this nature, the re-emergence of such an occurrence is a concerning regression.
The group urged authorities to take the matter seriously to stop the normalisation and escalation of such acts of violence.
“The government has a duty to defend the constitutional right to freedom of expression and those who exercise this right must be protected against intimidation and threats to their life and limb.”
It was reported on Friday that an improvised explosive device (IED) was found on the tyre of Siti Kasim’s car.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the case was an attempted murder and police were actively tracking down suspects through fingerprints and other evidence.
