Thugs threaten Klang MP

Thugs threaten Klang MP
by Tim Leonard

Klang MP's car damaged

newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KLANG (July 28, 2008) : Klang MP Charles Santiago, his wife, an aide and a firend's son were surrounded and shaken by a gang of about 20 thugs outside the Sri Muniandy Temple in Port Klang early Sunday morning.

"It was the most harrowing experience of my life and I dread to think what would have happened if not for the help of onlookers," said Santiago.

Santiago had earlier attended the temple's 25th anniversary celebration and later held a dialogue session with residents on crime prevention efforts in the area.

The session was jointly organised by Santiago, the police and the Klang Action Safety Committee.

"Many issues were raised, especially on gangsterism and the rising crime rate in Klang,” Santiago told theSun after lodging a report in the Klang police headquarters today.

"Just as we were about to leave, we were surrounded by the thugs who started intimidating us.

One of them pushed (D.) Sarah (Santiago's assistant) on her chest before jumping on my car boot. Another started kicking my car, breaking the driver’s side window and damaging the MP's crest on my car,” he said.

"Another thug threatened to kill my friend's son who started taking photos of the thugs."
Santiago said one the thugs had earlier parked a Mercedes Benz in front of the temple and blocked the road.

"I believe the attack is politically motivated because some of the thugs repeatedly shouted words in Tamil saying 'You all have taken out Datuk (Seri S.) Samy Vellu'," said Santiago.

"It's shocking that these thugs used the name of Datuk Samy Vellu in this senseless assault. The thugs fled the scene when several people who attended the dialogue rushed up to us," he added.

A Klang police spokesman confirmed the report and said the suspect had yet to be nabbed. Police are recording statements from witnesses and have classified the case as criminal intimidation.