LETTER | We must act against extremists decisively

LETTER | The Molotov cocktail attack on Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham’s home is an indication that there are extremists in our midst.

The multi-racial nation of ours cannot be victim to such arsonist attacks. It must be stopped.

There must be fear and love for the rule of law.

The lawmaker saw his three vehicles and front porch destroyed due to the fire.

Ngeh may have forgiven the perpetrators but that does not negate the gravity of the crime.

Suppose the family was not awakened by the passer-by, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

It is time that we went beyond merely condemning such violence.

We must act and drive fear into the hearts of would-be extremists who disregard the rule of law.

If we fail to get tough, what is there to stop race and religious rage from turning our beloved nation into a strife-torn land?

Politicians have often dangled the bait for popular support by raising racial and religious sensitivities to higher notches. This must cease immediately.

It is such politicising of sentiments that drives a deeper wedge among the citizenry and emboldens would-be extremists to take the law into their own hands and act insanely.

We have our rulers who know how to deal with religious matters that fray into sensitive turfs. Certainly, we do not need politicians to spike society with their poison arrows of divisiveness.

Likewise, religious leaders must play a more affirmative role in ensuring that extremist views and sentiments are bridled.

I pray that the attack on the DAP lawmaker will be the last of such incidences and respect, tolerance, reason and sensibility will be our favoured pathway.

The Madani government must act firmly and decisively.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.