KUCHING, May 28: Claiming to be threatened by some netizens over his recent comments, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii made a police report to ensure his and his family’s safety.
The DAP parliamentarian expressed great disappointment over the racist comments and threats on his life made by these netizens but stood firm on his stance for more stringent laws to curb drunk driving.
“I am saddened by the racist, divisive and even death threats written by a coordinated group of netizens on my public social media page in response to a post with regards to ‘PAS’ suggestion to suspend sale of alcohol until drunk driving is resolved’.
“It is my belief that the issue of drunk driving is an important issue that we need to seriously address. This issue is also not a racial issue as both the perpetrators and even the victim can be of any race,” said Dr Yii in a statement today.
“While I welcome differences in opinion and even differences in political affiliation, but I strongly condemn such racist, vulgarity and divisive sentiments including death threats towards my own personal safety and even the safety of my family.
“Malaysia is a multicultural and pluralistic country and we should not allow hate and such extremism to take root and undermine the unity and harmony in our country.
“A police report was made for my personal safety and the safety of my family and I hope the authorities will take this issue seriously.
According to a recent Bernama report, PAS had called on the government to immediately suspend all production, businesses and sales of alcoholic beverages to prevent incidences of drunk driving.
PAS information chief Kamarudzaman Mohamad said PAS viewed fatal accidents caused by drunk driving seriously as these cases had been rampant recently.
He urged Customs Department and all local authorities to revoke all sales licences of alchoholic beverages which were sold openly in 24-hour convenience stores.
Kamarudzaman also stated that World Health Organisation (WHO) had named Malaysia as the world’s 10th largest consumer of alcohol.
To this PAS statement, Dr Yii disagreed with suspension of alcohol, but agreed that the issue of drunk driving must be resolved.
“PAS’ call to suspend alcohol until the issue of drunk driving is resolved is not only absurd, but also defies the common logic. Based on the same logic, we may as well ban cars since they are the main cause of road accidents.
“While it may defy logic, but their calls must not be taken lightly as they are part of the Federal Government and form the biggest bloc under Muafakat Nasional.
“The issue of drunk driving is an important issue that we need to seriously address. No one has the right to endanger another Malaysian of his or her life by drink driving,” said Dr Yii in a statement yesterday.
However, he pointed out that drunk driving is a complex issue that needed long term solutions.
He brought up that former Transport Minister Anthony Loke had proposed that the fine for dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol to be increased to RM100,000.00 under the Road Transport Act and an increase the jail sentence for such offenders to a maximum of 20 instead of the current 10 years.
“However, the current PN government has not shown urgency in addressing the issue and even avoided Parliament all together
“Laws concerning dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol, or any other type of substance, ought to be strengthened and greater empowerment given for enforcement purposes, but banning it outright is not a comprehensive approach to the matter.
“It is missing the forest for the trees or administering the wrong treatment for the disease,” said Dr Yii.—DayakDaily
