LETTER | Growing concerns over bomb throwing in Malaysia

LETTER | The throwing of bombs - Molotov cocktails and crude explosives including arson are a growing concern in an otherwise peaceful nation.

A Google search will confirm that the throwing of explosive substances seems to be no more isolated or rare incidents.

The latest case of a Molotov cocktail being thrown at a supermarket in Perak is already rocking social media and fuelling public anger.

Lest we forget conveniently, in the recent past, we had similar acts of cowardice (if not terror) affecting even places of worship.

Fortunately, many of these criminal acts did not bring devastating loss and our police have gone after the perpetrators.

What is worrying is it seems that the growing trend of resorting to explosives happens whenever news about race and religion flares up in the country.

Are the existing laws in the country not prohibitive enough to prevent this trend?

Or is the nation dangerously gyrating into becoming a lawless space where terrorism is silently gaining ground with each passing year?

Malaysians have a good track record for moderate views and the ability to resolve differences through non-violent efforts.

The use of bombs - no matter how small or crude these may be, never had a place in our nation-building journey.

Remember Altantuya’s case?

However, we cannot say the same anymore as we even have used high-end, controlled explosives to murder people - as in the Altantuya Shaariibuu's case.

Perhaps, experts should be commissioned to investigate and study with impartiality why we are witnessing the increasing use of bombs to register anger, disapproval or to commit crime.

We must eradicate this trend as it can only grow bigger and more widespread if left unchecked or treated as mere cowardice or seen as isolated incidents of crime.

Given the fact that terrorism is on the rise globally, such incidents of hurling petrol bombs or even having access to high-grade explosives to murder in Malaysia need serious, extensive and effective redress.

It is terrorism and such incidents will affect the country's economic climate as frequent cases will carve an image of the nation's risk factors in the eyes of investors.

We need to be extra sensitive to this trend given the fact that we are a multiracial, multi-religious population where “sensitivities” can easily be exploited not only by scheming politicians but also by opportunists, including enemies of the state.

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