SWIFT JUSTICE OR CRIME?

Cops give this advice but netizens feel differently

YESTERDAY a snatch thief was killed by his victim, and on Friday a man was assaulted by six others for allegedly stealing a handphone. Cops and crime analysts say in no uncertain terms that no one should take the law into his own hands. But many Netizens think otherwise.

What does this say about society?

TWO cases of people taking the law into their own hands have renewed debate on whether it was right for them to do so.

Yesterday, a snatch thief was killed after being knocked down by his victim, a Yemeni, with a car in Seri Kembangan, while in Kota Kinabalu last Friday, a man was attacked by a group of market vendors after he allegedly tried to steal a handphone.

In both cases, which are being probed by the police, the authorities gave the same advice — do not take the law into your own hands.

Social media, however, was divided in opinion with more leaning towards the victims acting on their own accord to find quick justice.

Some were rather morbid with their opinions.

“Congratulations,” said a Facebook user by the name of Jason Heng in referring to the Yemeni student who drove 3km to chase the man who snatched his bag and fled on a motorcycle.

Another Facebook user, Isfyandie Barjie, expressed hoped that the Yemeni, who is being detained to facilitate investigations, would be released soon.

Facebook user Adrian Paul said the thief deserved the consequence of his action.

“We have all watched numerous videos showing how cruel and violent these thieves are... resulting in their victims sustaining severe head and body injuries or even death.”

Another Facebook user, Renny Tan, echoed Paul’s sentiments: “How many people have they snatched from and killed?... It’s time for karma.”

But some questioned the Yemeni man’s action.

Ahmad Jabir Hartono said on Facebook: “I might be wrong, but I think stealing is not punishable by death.

“It clearly is not an act of selfdefence for fear of one’s life. I think nobody should take the law into their own hands.”

In the case of the man who was assaulted in Kota Kinabalu, Jani Pangi tweeted that the assailants could have apprehended the suspect — if it was true that he tried stealing the handphone.

“Why bash him up?” he said, adding that other posts also suggested the man could have been mentally unsound — and that made it worse.

Serdang police chief Assistant Commissioner Megat Mohamad Aminuddin Megat Alias and his Kota Kinabalu counterpart, Assistant Commissioner M. Chandra, reminded the public not to take action on their own.

Both asserted that those who took action on their own could endanger their lives and that of others.

They also urged the public to reach out to the police.

A crime analyst said the right to self-defence was provided for under the law, but with limitations.

I might be wrong, but I think stealing is not punishable by death. It clearly is not an act of selfdefence for fear of one’s life. I think nobody should take the law into their own hands.

AHMAD JABIR HARTONO Facebook user