By FMT Staff
KUALA LUMPUR: The “skill” of the “Datuk” lawyer -- a key suspect in millionaire Sosilawati Lawiya’s murder -- at avoiding persecution despite being linked to four criminal cases in the past raises several questions, said PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd.
“I am wondering if there existed a strong bond between the suspect and the highest leadership in the police force or within the weak police administration under former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan,” he said.
Criminal Investigation Department director Mohd Bakri Zinin had over the weekend confirmed that the unnamed 41-year-old lawyer was the main suspect in the gruesome murder and burning of Sosilawati and her three friends who went missing on Aug 30.
Bakri had also reportedly said that the lawyer, bearing the title “Datuk”, was also linked to the disappearance of four other individuals last year.
Said Shamsul Iskandar: “It’s surprising that this 'Datuk' with the same criminal record had not faced prosecution. Does he have links to political leaders or within the top brass in the police?
“These are questions that the police must answer.”
He said the police force under Musa was often criticised for its alleged links to high-profile crimes involving very important people and gangs.
He said throughout Musa's administration the police force was unable to clear its name of various allegations and redeem its credibility.
“From a KPI (key performance indicator) point of view, the process of removing the IGP (Musa) ) should have happened a long time ago. I would not be wrong in stating that it is now common knowledge that many senior police officers were involved in abuse and corrupt activities..
“And this is not discounting Musa himself who is linked to high-profile criminal activities, including ganglords,” Shamsul Iskandar said told TV Selangor.
He said it was time the police returned to their core duties, which is curbing crimes and ensuring the security and harmony in civilian life.
“It is my opinion that it is time the police focused less on political activities and less on being an Umno Barisan Nasional stooge. The police should return to their core responsibilities, which is curbing crime and ensuring the safety of civilians,” he said.
Worrying for women
Meanwhile, PKR women's wing chief Zuraidah Kamaruddin condemned the brutal killing of Sosilawati, calling it as another wanton attack on women in this country.
“The respect for women in the country is eroding...if it was the brutal murder of Altantuya a few years ago, now it is Sosilawati.
“Such gruesome murders should not be happening but the fact that they are happening only shows that the safety of the people, especially the women, is not assured at all,” said the Ampang MP in a statement today.
She said the police had failed to assure the safety of women and urged the new police chief, Ismail Omar, to start implementing changes in the police force to ensure no more women are killed.
She also hoped that the culprits who killed Sosilawati and her three friends are brought to justice soon.
Additional reporting by Fazy Sahir
