Something is wrong with the governance capability in Putrajaya after some six decades of UMNO/BN government.
When will the soul of Malaysia find peace and tranquility?
The latest trauma to hit Malaysians is today’s report from the Philippines media in Tawi-Tawi that another four Malaysian nationals had been kidnapped off the coast of Sabah and brought to Sulu.
Has the Malaysian government lost the capacity to ensure safety and security for Malaysian nationals in their homeland and waters?
Zahid told Utusan Malaysia yesterday that ransom was not negotiated by police to secure the release of the four Sarawakian hostages recently released by the Abu Sayyaf after 69 days of captivity.
Separately, deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said he was unaware of any ransom paid to secure the release of the four, adding: “I don’t know they paid ransom money; therefore, the best is to ask the family members.”
It is most improper, unethical and irresponsible for the deputy inspector-general of police to feign ignorance as the families of the four hostages said they passed RM12 million as ransom to two police special branch officers – in 12 metal boxes containing RM1 million each at Hong Leong Bank in Sandakan on May 24.
RM1 million were from mortgages on two homes in Pulau Li Huia, RM2 million from the shipping company where the hostages worked while the rest were public donations from Malaysia, China, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan and the Solomon Island.
Zahid changed his tune today when he said the RM12 million raised by the families of hostages recently freed by the Abu Sayyaf was given to an Islamic body in the Philippines, which assists in an Islamic struggle and has no links to terrorism or criminals.
Was ransom money paid to Abu Sayyaf for the release of the four Sarawakian hostages and is the Islamic body which received the RM12 million money a front for Abu Sayyaf?
If Malaysians cannot fully trust the Malaysian government on this issue, can they trust any word and promise by Putrajaya, including the by-election promises in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar?
Why has Putrajaua lost the capacity to protect the safety and security of Malaysian nationals in their homeland and waters, including the fishermen from Sungai Besar who were often captured by the Indonesian authorities?
What Malaysians want are not just “band aid” measures to secure the release of Malaysians from captivity whether Abu Sayyaf or the Indonesian authorities but full safety and security for Malaysian nationals in their homeland and home waters!
Can the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak give satisfactory explanation to the voters of Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar before Saturday’s by-elections why the Federal Government in Putrajaya has lost the capacity to perform its most basic of government duties – to protect the safety and security of Malaysian nationals in their homeland and home waters in Malaysia?