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Krishnasamy had received threats
source
SEGAMAT: Slain Tenggaroh state assemblyman Datuk S. Krishnasamy had been receiving threats for about a week but did not take them seriously.
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said that Krishnasamy had told him about the threats before he left for India two weeks ago. “I just advised him to take care. That was the maximum I could say,” he said, adding that such threats were commonly received by those in politics or those who become elected representatives. Samy Vellu said that he, too, received 10 to 15 such calls a day from people making all sorts of accusations and threats.
“This time, things got out of hand. Now, there are all sorts of accusations and the people's minds have been poisoned. “People think we are not needed anymore. Such cases can happen in future as the people hate us,” he said, referring to the killing of the assemblyman.
However, Samy Vellu added that they (MIC politicians) would not be able to do their job if they lived in fear. “I meet 750 people each week. If the gunman comes, even I can be shot,” he said, adding that that all MIC assemblymen and MPs have been told to be extra cautious.
“We also appeal to the Inspector-General of Police to investigate this case thoroughly as the previous murder of Lunas assemblyman Joe Fernandez in 2000 has yet to be solved,” he said. “Besides that, several other murders have also happened in Penang.”
Samy Vellu said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had contacted him yesterday to assure him that the police were tracking down the suspect. Samy Vellu, who arrived at Krishnasamy's house at 11.15am, said that Abdullah also conveyed his condolences to the family.
He called for security at all MIC offices nationwide would be beefed up. “I have told the Johor MIC leader to employ a new security guard and not to just allow everybody into the building,” he said, adding that he was surprised that the guard, stationed at the building, was not present at the time of the shooting.
Asked how Krishnasamy's death would affect MIC's performance in the area in the coming elections, he replied: “I do not want to talk about the elections now.”
On Krishnasamy's contributions, Samy Vellu said that he had showed a lot of interest in wanting to help the people in Johor. “Each week, at least once, he brings people to see me for help,” he said, adding that he last spoke to Krishnasamy on Friday morning as Krishnasamy had wanted to meet with him next week.
Segamat MP Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam appealed to the police to investigate and bring the killer to book. “MIC has lost a good leader and I have lost a good friend,” he said.
State PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed, who led a delegation of about 30 people to the house, said that this was a new phenomenon, which needed to be checked. “The police need to do something about such cases, including providing additional security to politicians,” he said, adding that people had the right to live in peace. Dr Mahfodz also conveyed his condolences to the family.
Krishnasamy received threats a week before his death
BERNAMA source
SEGAMAT, Sat.:
State Assemblyman for Tenggaroh Datuk S. Krishnasamy received several threatening calls a week before he was shot dead yesterday.
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who is Works Minister, said Krishnasamy, who was Johor MIC deputy chairman, informed him of the threats before he left for India on an official visit.”He said the threats went on for a week but he did not take it seriously. I did advise him to be careful. That is all I can say,” Samy Vellu told reporters when he came to the residence of the late assemblyman in Bandar Putra here today.
He also urged the police to carry out a thorough investigation into the case to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Samy Vellu said that for a politician or elected individual, receiving threats from dissatisfied people was normal but in this case, it was too much.”What happened to Krishnasamy can happen to anyone else,” he said.He said a circular had been issued to all MIC assemblymen and members of Parliament on the need to take extra precautions to ensure their safety.
Samy Vellu said that presently, there were some people within the Indian community who created agitation including in writing to show that the MIC and its elected representatives did not work for the benefits of the community. This was very dangerous because the aim was to sow hatred towards the MIC and its elected representatives, he said. “They write as though the people hate us a lot. When people think we are no longer useful, perhaps a shoot to kill can occur,” he said.
Asked whether he believed that Krishnasamy’s murder was politically motivated, Samy Vellu said he was not sure.”I cannot say whether it has something to do with politics, a private matter or in connection with the constituency. An elected representative has many connections,” he said.However, he said, an elected representative should not be afraid when facing threats from irresponsible quarters.
Samy Vellu also said that he was disappointed with the laxness of security at the Johor MIC building and the absence of security guards at the premises when the shooting took place.”I have told the Johor MIC chairman to place new security personnnel and instal closed-circuit cameras to know who come in and out of the office,” he said.He also ordered all state MIC offices to review the security aspect of their premises.
