Not the first time an assassination attempt was made on a human rights activist in Malaysia.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that police are meticulously analysing fingerprints and other related evidence obtained from the bomb found under lawyer and activist Siti Kasim’s car last week to trace the suspects behind the heinous act.
Malay daily Harian Metro today reported that police are intensifying their search for the culprits responsible for placing a bomb under Siti Kasim’s car as it is suspected of being an assassination attempt.
“The discovery of the bomb object is a serious crime and the threat involved is like an attempted murder.

“Further investigations are being carried out by the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters,” he was quoted as saying.
Razarudin asserted that the police responded proactively to the investigation and were determined to prevent any reckless individuals from committing such criminal acts.
He also urged the public not to engage in speculations or discussions that could potentially hinder the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, electoral watchdog Bersih said the government must have zero tolerance for the assassination attempt on Siti Kasim.
In a statement, Bersih said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must make it clear that he will not allow violence to become part of the political culture.
“Bersih condemns in the strongest terms the attempt on lawyer-activist Siti Zabedah Kasim’s life through the planting of an improvised explosive device (IED),” it said, referring to the activist by her real name.
“Even though it is still uncertain whether the motivation is political, business or personal, the attempt on Siti should be classified as ‘violence against human rights defenders and professionals’, as happens commonly to politicians, lawyers, journalists and other professionals working on public interests in authoritarian countries,” it said.
According to Bersih, it was not the first time an assassination attempt was made on a human rights activist in Malaysia.
Bersih cited the death of Bill Kayong of Sarawak – an indigenous rights activist who was murdered by a hired killer in 2016.
“Previously, Bersih’s former chairperson, Maria Chin Abdullah received (threatening letters) with bullet and blood.
“The government must make sure that Siti Kasim does not become another Bill Kayong and provide her with bodyguards upon her request. We applaud the police for handling this seriously, but such violence will only cease if the perpetrators and abettors are caught, charged and convicted.”
“Stopping violence targeting human rights defenders and professionals is the duty of all parties, politicians, civil society groups and opinion leaders.”
“Once this comes to be seen as a convenient way to silence dissents and critics, anyone (could be) the next victim.”