The Perak government has accepted full responsibility for the incident. Read the Malaysiakini article at this link.
In that case, as the head of the government, Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad, should resign.
He should also sack the head of the royal security detail.
He said that the state government “would not point fingers at any party, as the incident occurred unexpectedly and in a matter of seconds.”
What a pathetic response.
He should be lucky that the woman merely hugged the Sultan and had not stabbed him or shot him or some other violent attack, like detonating a suicide vest!
He said, the incident occurred unexpectedly. Of course it would be unexpected!
Why should an attacker or even if a stranger just wanted a selfie or for a celebrity to sign a photo or get his autograph, is not going to announce his arrival or presence would he, Saarani?
This is what happened when the female suicide bomber who killed Rajiv Gandhi and 13 other people, including herself, in 1991 at a campaign rally, did not announce her arrival. She was there with other people at the event, and Gandhi’s security detail were caught unawares because the security was lax. Just like in Ipoh. The female suicide bomber, went up to Gandhi and kissed his feet, before detonating the bomb.
And as Saarani alluded to, the whole security breach happened in a matter of seconds. So the question is how did the woman who hugged the Sultan was allowed onto the platform where the Sultan and his other distinguished guests were sat.
Saarani should be lucky it was not a woman armed with an automatic weapon or a bomb.
Saarani also said, “It is a wake-up call for everyone to be alert to security matters, not only those (events) involving dignitaries such as the menteri besar or exco (state executive council members), but also public figures who attract large crowds.”
No! No! No!
It is not a wake-up call for everyone. It is a wake-up call for the security detail, the police and the authorities.
Who coordinated the two units? The basics of providing security was not adhered to. The security detail was lax. Typical tidak-apa Malaysian attitude.
The officers providing security cover, neglected to implement the most basic need of the protective policies, plans, and procedures designed to keep a high-profile person safe. In other words, they simply lacked awareness and diligence.
And the police are busy monitoring social media tweets!
Down in KL, the IGP mooted the idea of training the officers with commando-like training.
Another daft response. Commando training prepares the soldier to execute surprise raids and high-risk military strikes at a moment’s readiness. What use is the security detail who is trained to be like a commando, if he is not observant, and in the first instance, allows anyone and everyone into the most restricted area around the Sultan? The security team which does not vet the people, which does not know the weak points in the venue, and which did not organise a briefing before the event, is not fit for purpose.
Saarani should resign. And he may as well sack the senior person (or people) involved in organising the Sultan’s security before he goes.
He should also suspend the officers in the security team, for them to face disciplinary charges.
The author strongly criticizes the security lapse and demands resignations, reflecting a common Malaysian frustration with poor governance and accountability in public safety.