How much bribe did the police receive?
Taiping 'taiko' walks free
No action in case of driver who mowed down six on motorcycles
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 - 16:17
Location:
TAIPING
LIVING IN FEAR: Hit-and-run survivor Johari and his wife make sure The Malay Mail reporters had left — Pix: HADZME JAAFAR
THE lone suspect in a lethal hit-and-run incident here that killed three people and injured three others three months ago is walking free — sparking criticism of police inaction.
Certain quarters have claimed shoddy police investigations or cover-up into the incident on June 18 when the man — a well-known resident here — who was allegedly drunk, mowed down the six people.
The suspect rammed into four motorcycles along a 2km stretch at the Taiping-Simpang main road at 2am. He reportedly drove straight home after that.
Harvinder Singh, 28, Mohd Zaini Abdullah, 57, and his wife, Radzizah Mohd Yusoff , 55, were killed.
The injured were Harvinder's friend, Mohd Ismail Md Ramli, 22, Johari Zakari, 45, who suffered a broken leg, and an unidentified motorcyclist.
The Malay Mail carried out a special investigation following questions raised in the Perak State Assembly on the delay in closing the file by state opposition leader Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin on Aug 27.
The Changkat Jering assemblyman told The Malay Mail that residents in Taiping, especially the families of the victims, were living in fear of the suspect and were afraid to talk openly about the tragedy.
Mohammad Nizar said he raised the issue in the state assembly as many Taiping residents had asked him why the suspect had yet to face action. He said they wanted to know:
- Why a person suspected of having killed three and injured three others was still moving around freely; and
- Why it was taking so long to close the file since a chemistry report would normally take three to four weeks.
“Even after I had raised the matter in the state assembly, the police have not responded to my queries,” the former Perak menteri besar said.
"Similarly, our efforts over several days to get police comments on the status of their investigations were in vain."
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Several residents, speaking on conditions of anonymity, described it as dreadful police investigation and called for federal police intervention. They demanded urgency in the public interest.
Those interviewed said the police owed a duty to bring justice to the families of those killed and injured.
“The unusual delay in bringing closure to the case is sheer injustice. Further, it has deprived the families of the deserved quantum in insurance claims,” said an elderly resident Another resident said it appeared the suspect was untouchable.
“With him strutting around the town freely gives the impression the matter has been closed and that makes us angry," he said.
Most of them said the suspect, a businessman, was intimidating and they were afraid to discuss the matter openly.
“When the police remain quiet on a horrific case, the public gets frightened. This situation cannot linger if public-police cooperation is expected in crime prevention,” said another resident.
Why don't you ask the police?
MANAGEMENT staff Johari Zakari, 40, was on his way home after meeting a couple of friends for dinner when the mishap occurred.
"I don't remember anything. I just know a car hit me from behind and I passed out. I only woke up hours later in the hospital," he said at his house in Taman Kaya, Kampung Larut Tin.
Johari said he only knew details of the tragedy from newspapers and what his family members and friends told him.
"There is nothing much to tell. If you feel there is no justice done in this case then why don't you ask the police about it?" he asked.
"I am a family man and I need to provide for my children. I don't want to risk anything by telling what I really feel. That is why I am asking you to speak to the police."
Johari only agreed to speak to The Malay Mail reporters after they convinced him that their intention was to seek justice for the victims.
He reminded the reporters many times during the interview that the suspect’s house was nearby.
LEAVE US ALONE: Johari and his wife were reluctant to talk about the incident to The Malay Mail reporter Thasha Jayamanogaran
Mohd Zaini Abdullah and Radzizah Mohd Yusoff , who were killed in the incident, lived opposite Johari's house.
"Why don't you speak to Radzizah's son? Maybe he can tell you more," said Johari.
Asked whether he had been warned not to speak to the media, he replied: "Not yet."
Family mum on incident
OUR first stop in Taiping was at the family home of Harvinder Singh in Kampung Larut Tin where we received cold treatment.
Those at home refused to talk to us and telephoned Harvinder's police officer brother based at the Taiping police headquarters.
Identifying himself as Insp Paramjit Singh, he told The Malay Mail not to interfere with the case, saying he had it under control.
Paramjit said he had written to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye to look into the matter.
"I'm dealing with it and I would appreciate it if the media stays away," he said.
ALL QUIET: The home of Mohd Zaini and Radzizah after their son left following the incident
A close family member of Harvinder, who declined to be named, claimed the suspect seemed fearless when he questioned him about the accident.
The home where victims Mohd Zaini Abdullah and Radzizah Mohd Yusoff stayed was empty because their son had moved to Kuantan after the accident.
Neighbours, who requested anonymity, said Sarul Fahmi, 30, left Taiping because he was disappointed that there was no justice in connection with his parents’ death.
"He needed a fresh start and did not want to live here because of reasons related to the accident. He left frustrated and disappointed," said a neighbour.
The Malay Mail reporters met survivor Johari Zakaria, who has been bedridden since the accident. He suffers from a broken leg and is expected to be back on his feet only after eight months.
Johari said little and The Malay Mail reporters could sense fear in his reluctance to talk to them.
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