Weekend bloodshed leaves Sri Muda folks in fear

By Teoh El Sen - Free Malaysia Today,

SHAH ALAM: Following a series of attacks over the weekend, which left one dead and several injured, Taman Sri Muda residents are now fearful for their safety.
The tension was apparent when a check by FMT revealed that the police had set up several round-the-clock roadblocks in the area.

In the first incident on Saturday night, 25-year-old factory worker Palsibal Jailani (photo below:centre) died after he was set upon by a group of Indian youths armed with machetes.

His friend Rudy Amin sustained severe slash wounds, rendering him unconscious for a day and receiving 15 stitches to his cheek. Both victims were Sabahans working here.

Police believe that Palsibal's assailants could have mistaken him for someone else.

A news report also claimed that on the same night, Palsibal's cousin, Abdul Rasad Ismail, was allegedly stopped by four men, who asked if he was a Sabahan. When he said "yes", they began throwing punches and kicks.

The victim also claimed that the group had tried to pulled him into a van but he had managed to escape.

In what is believed to be acts of reprisal, two Indian youths, including a 16-year-old student, were attacked the next day in two separate incidents.

'People are afraid'

Last night, a dialogue session was held between the police and some 350 residents. The session was chaired by Shah Alam district police chief ACP Noor Azam Jamaluddin.

Met this afternoon, Taman Sri Muda residents' association president T Mogan told FMT that people here are still in a state of shock.

"We want peace. The people are afraid and scared that something like Kampung Medan will happen all over again. We can't have that," he said.

Commenting on the dialogue, Mogan said residents, comprising mainly of Indians and Sabahans, were unanimous in condemning the attacks and agreed to put the past behind them.

Meanwhile, Azam told FMT that the police are working hard to contain the situation and appealed to the residents to remain calm and not get emotional.

The police chief also stated that Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein have expressed concern over the situation.

"Everyone is very concerned and we will keep a close watch on the situation until everything cools down. We want to contain this and stop it from spreading," he said.

Police have picked up a youth, in his 20s, in connection with Palsibal's murder. The suspect was found with a machete on his motorcycle when he was rounded up during a roadblock with several others.

When FMT visited the Valencia flats, where Palsibal was attacked, residents admitted that there is an air of uneasiness since the incident.

"My daughter and wife are with me in the evening but in the morning they are alone. I am scared and I hope things will return to normal soon," said Sabahan lorry driver Hernani Hamsa, 32.

S Kumar, 36, who has been living here for the past year, said this is the first time he has experienced such a situation in this area.

"There have been minor arguments but never a case where the police have to guard us for 24 hours. This is a sad incident, it should not have happened, we are all the same, and we should be friends not enemies,” said the lorry driver.

Stall owner Hairi Tasman said that the incident has left residents in a state of fear.

"We feel safer with the police around, that's why I am brave enough to open my stall. I am not sure what happened but I am afraid that these people will just hit anyone regardless of their race," he added.