There have been several incidents where the public has taken the law into their own hands. The latest case occurred at Bukit Antarabangsa, where a lorry driver was assaulted by a group of people after he accidentally crashed into a luxury car while reversing his vehicle.
A video clip of the incident went viral on social media, causing an uproar among the public, who questioned why no action was taken against the perpetrators. Police have arrested several suspects, apart from recording statements from witnesses and those involved in the attack.
Earlier, in Penang, a businessman has been caught on video allegedly beating a security guard with a steel cutter. The 40-second video saw the man, furious that his Mercedes Benz was clamped, attempting to remove the clamp from his front right tyre. He started punching, kicking and beating the guard with the cutter when he realised the guard was filming his actions.
Should the public take the law into their own hands? No. It is wrong and can land them into serious trouble. It is an offence punishable under the Penal Code.
For instance, those who assaulted the lorry driver could be charged under Section 147 for rioting, which carries a jail term of up to two
years and a fine, or both, upon conviction.
If such an assault caused hurt, the perpetrator could be charged under Section 324 for causing grievous hurt, which provides for a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine, or caning, or any two of the punishments.
A more severe penalty awaits if it involves dangerous weapons or means, as Section 326 provides a maximum jail term of 20 years and fine, or whipping, if convicted. And if it resulted in death, one could be charged under Section 302, which provides the death sentence upon conviction.
There are those among us who may have not known that they can also face similar charges for committing the same acts against a crime suspect.
Therefore, I would like to urge members of the public to practise restraint and think wisely when dealing with such a situation.
Although there is a provision for a citizen’s arrest under Section 27 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the public must immediately hand over the suspect to the police.
The public must always ask — is it worth receiving severe punishment for taking actions triggered by anger?
To rub salt to the wound, they may have to serve the penalty for taking extreme actions against those who have committed a crime.
Do not take the law into your own hands, as it will help spare you from legal action or punishment under the law.
We should act rationally and refer our grievances to the proper authority.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE,
Senior Vice-Chairman, Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation