The Istana Negara case involves two men who tried to enter the palace compound claiming they wanted to meet the king, but were found with a machete in their car and arrested for criminal trespass and possession of an offensive weapon. According to Professor Ahmad Fauzi, these incidents may reflect society’s discontent with the country’s economic affairs and a perceived threat against Islam. The actual motives behind these incidents should be left to investigation, but it is possible that the suspects are seeking fame, publicity, and the attention of the media.
Dr. Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid, a criminologist and deputy dean at Universiti Malaya’s law faculty, stated that these incidents are keeping society on edge about what might happen next. She questions whether crime is contagious, suggesting that there may be a propensity to commit similar crimes in the aftermath of major crimes such as the police station attack in Ulu Tiram. It is important to explore whether the crimes following the Ulu Tiram incident are attempts to gain notoriety or to taunt the police given their high alert status.
There is concern about the increasing incidents targeting authority figures such as the police, possibly due to the interaction between police and the public. Professor Ahmad Fauzi also mentioned the potential for disgruntled individuals to take advantage of lax security measures at police stations amid relative peace in the country. While the chances of success in these incidents are slim, the suspects may be seeking attention, recognition, and a platform to be interviewed by the media.
The need to address the emotional impact on society due to these incidents has been highlighted by Dr. Haezreena. She emphasized that the continuous threats and attacks keep people on edge and do not allow for a reprieve or time to mourn previous incidents. It is important to investigate the potential contagious nature of crime and the motivations behind these acts following major crimes like the Ulu Tiram police station attack. Understanding whether these incidents are attempts to gain notoriety or provoke the police is crucial in addressing and preventing future threats.
In summary, the recent incidents targeting authority figures such as the police have caused concern and unease in society. The motives behind these acts, whether related to economic issues, perceived threats against Islam, or a desire for notoriety, need to be investigated further. The emotional impact on society and the potential contagious nature of crime following major incidents like the Ulu Tiram attack are important areas of exploration in addressing and preventing future threats. It is crucial to understand the underlying reasons behind these incidents and work towards ensuring the safety and security of authority figures and the public.