MIC leader lodges report about ‘hit list’

TheStar

JOHOR BARU: Another MIC leader has received death threats.

This brings to two the number of MIC leaders who have lodged reports alleging that they were next on the hit list.

An MIC leader here recently lodged a report claiming that he was threatened over the phone.

The caller, who spoke in Tamil, said the threatening words before hanging up.

Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff confirmed that they have received a report from a Johor MIC leader and were investigating the case.

It is learnt that investigations are being carried out under Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation by anonymous communications, which carries a maximum two-year jail term and fine.

The police are not taking such threats lightly in the wake of state deputy chief Datuk S. Krishnasamy’s murder.

It is understood that threats have been made against several senior MIC leaders. They have, however, not made police reports, dismissing this as an “occupational hazard”.

A source said the threats began after the private handphone numbers of the leaders were circulated via SMS.

An MIC Perak leader, it is understood, has also received a threatening phone call. No further details are available.

On the investigations into Krishnasamy’s murder, it is learnt that police have recorded statements from more than 24 people, mostly MIC politicians.