Earlier today (6th December), it was disclosed by deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin that the Minister of Agriculture, Datuk Salahuddin Ayub, received a death threat last Sunday. He was quoted by the Malay Mail as saying,
“The incident took place in front of the Simpang Jeram Service Centre in Johor and a police report was lodged immediately on the day of the incident.”
“However we at the ministry will never bow to such threats and Datuk Salahuddin has informed us that he will continue to dispense his responsibilities to the people.”
According to Sinar Harian, an individual left a note carrying a death threat along with the carcass of a calf for the Agriculture Minister. The note stated that the calf, belonging to the individual who wrote the note, had died after being run over by a vehicle. An excerpt from the note translates,
“To YB Salahuddin, my cow died because it was run over. You will be killed. You have no brain.”
Sim Tze Sin addressed the individual who sent the threat, saying,
“If you are not happy with our administration, please do not hesitate to meet with us, but if your cow dies in an accident, it’s not fair to put the blame on the Agriculture Ministry.”
“The cow was killed because it was run over by a vehicle, not because of our Agriculture Minister. Report this incident to the police for them to take appropriate action instead.”
A man who is believed to be responsible for the death threat was just arrested by police yesterday (5th December) and will be remanded until Friday (7th December) to assist with investigations. He is currently being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.
According to initial investigations, the suspect was reportedly not satisfied when his application for assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture was rejected.
Whatever it is, we’re glad the culprit was caught. Let’s hope he is appropriately punished according to the law.
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