Mob killings in Bangladesh: Why hasn’t Malaysia spoken up?

Senator Datuk Sivaraj Chandran has joined the bandwagon in calling upon the government to speak up regarding the mob killing and human rights violations that is being perpetrated in Bangladesh.

“Malaysia has, in the past, spoken firmly on international issues involving civilian suffering and violations of human dignity. Those principles should not be conditional, nor applied selectively. If we claim to uphold justice and humanity as universal values, then we must be prepared to defend them consistently, even when it is uncomfortable to do so.

“This is not a call to assign blame, nor to politicise tragedy. It is a call to reaffirm a basic truth: that no grievance, no accusation, and no collective anger can justify the killing of a human being without trial. When the world remains silent, violence learns that it can repeat itself.

“Malaysia’s moral standing has always rested on the courage to speak when humanity is at stake. The question before us is not whether we should take sides, but whether we are prepared to take a stand, for law, for dignity, and for the sanctity of human life,” he said in a statement.

Several days ago, a Bangladeshi Hindu man – Dipu Chandra was lynched and burned alive by the mob. This was followed by another man killed, known as Amrit Mondal alias Samrat.

Sivaraj stressed that the killing indicates a serious breakdown of law and order.

“Such acts occur when violence replaces due process and when institutions fail to prevent collective anger from turning into murder.

“This incident cannot be viewed in isolation. Bangladesh is part of our shared region, and events of this nature carry wider implications. When mob violence is allowed to take place, it weakens confidence in governance and undermines stability beyond national borders.

“It is therefore reasonable to ask why Malaysia has yet to issue a clear statement on what has occurred.”

Prior to Sivaraj, three other lawmakers too had raised concerns regarding the same matter. They are Selangor exco V Papparaidu, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer and Senator Dr A Lingeshwaran.

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