None of serial acid attack cases solved

None of the 25 cases of serial acid attacks that took place in the Klang Valley this year have been solved, Parliament was told today.

While police have identified the acidic substance used in the attacks, a kind of weak acid, the perpetrators still remained at large, Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop said during Question Time.

"Police have released photo-fits of the suspects. We hope members of the public will help in identifying them," he said.

However, Abu Seman (left) said, there are still no measures in place to impose stricter controls on the sale of acid, as the ministry needs to look further into the matter.

“We need to discuss this with other ministries as acid is a vital component used in the manufacture of many products,” he explained.

Abu Seman also stated that the 25 seemingly random serial acid attacks are in addition to 20 other attacks which were caused by robbery, revenge or jealousy, using strong acid fluid which incurred permanent damage, adding up to a total of 45 attacks this year thus far.

This is a four-fold increase from 10 attacks in 2010, and far higher than the three attacks recorded in 2009, he said.

On whether new laws are needed to handle the recent spike in the acid attacks, Abu Seman said that current laws are already in place to try those accused of such attacks, namely Section 324 and 326 of the Penal Code.

He gave an assurance to the House that the police are still diligently investigating the cases, and a special task force to use criminology in order to profile the crimes and itheir perpetrators is in the works.

See also:

Acid attacks symptom of a society in disarray