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Rise in Acid Attacks Reported in Malaysia
This story was originally reported in The Star, a Malaysian newspaper, and was written by Sim Leoi Leoi, Martin Carvalho, Yuen Mieking, and Rahimy Rahim. To see this story in its original context, click here.
The number of corrosive liquid attack cases has risen dramatically this year with 45 cases to date compared to only three in 2009 and 10 last year.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Abu Seman Yusop said among the reasons cited for the attacks were robbery, jealousy and revenge.
He said the authorities were hampered by the lack of witnesses and difficulty in identifying the culprits involved in such attacks in Kuala Lumpur over the past few months.
Of the 58 cases since 2009, 33 were linked to robbery or jealousy, in which the attackers used highly acidic liquids which could cause permanent disfigurement.
“The rest of the cases were the series of corrosive acid attacks in Kuala Lumpur. The police found that in these attacks, the liquid used was of low acidity,” he told Teng Boon Soon (BN-Tebrau).
Teng had asked the Home Ministry to state the number of acid attack cases and whether the Government had reviewed its plan to control the sale of acids in the open market.
Abu Seman said although the police had not been able to catch the suspect, they had taken measures to prevent more attacks.
“A specialised criminology team was set up to find the attacker. At the same time, the ministry is working with the Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry to monitor the sale of corrosive liquids, while the help of the Attorney-General’s Chambers has been sought to come up with stricter laws.
“We will consider setting up a log book to keep account of the sale of the liquids,” he added.
Abu Seman also noted that only four out of the 58 acid attack cases were reported.
“This is because in many cases, victims could not identify the attackers and there was a lack of witnesses.
“We are also working with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to counsel and protect acid attack victims who were mostly females,” he told Datuk Ismail Kassim (BN-Arau).
Posted on October 07th 2011 by Office in ASTI news
