Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today said he will order an immediate police probe into a death threat against Bersih 2.0 chief S Ambiga in connection with the group’s planned mass rally on July 9.

He said the threat , which was sent through SMS to several Bersih 2.0 members and journalists late last night and early this morning, must be taken “very seriously”.

NONE “I am going to Bukit Aman immediately after this and ask that the police make sure that the threat from the SMS going around does not materialise and where it originated from,” he said at a press conference in the Parliament lobby.

The SMS, sent from the number 601119732179, singled out Ambiga ( left ) as the main target of the threat, though it was also aimed at PAS and PKR leaders who may take part on the rally for electoral reforms.

The lengthy SMS written in Malay, issued the threat towards the end, with the author claiming he or she will kill Ambiga and those around her “one by one” should they go ahead with the rally.

Hishammuddin noted that it is common for public figures to receive death threats, pointing out that he has received a few himself, but stressed that the threat against Ambiga merits greater attention than the usual angry message.

“In the circumstances of Bersih, we should take this a bit more seriously... I take this threat very seriously, especially as it is Ambiga, whom I know way back in my legal days,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin defended the refugee swap deal between Malaysia and Australia, saying it could become a model for cross-border cooperation in dealing with human trafficking and terrorism.

‘Malaysia will benefit’

The minister said whichever way the issue is viewed, Malaysia will benefit from the deal as the country will send over 4,000 illegal immigrants to Australia, who in turn will only send over 800 refugees.

He noted that both the Malaysian and Australian governments agreed to the swap deal as it is one way to take the fight to human traffickers and terrorists, who constantly take advantage of migrants.

“If this is done well without polemics and it becoming politicised, this would be a very good model for other hotspot areas in the world,” he said.

NONE Hishammuddin ( right ), however, was lean on the details surrounding the swap deal, saying the Malaysian government is still engaging with stakeholders and will reveal more in due time.

On the plan by a group of Australian opposition MPs to inspect facilities used in managing migrants in Malaysia next week, the minister said he does not see how this would make a difference in the issue.

“They can come, and I believe they will oppose (the deal). They are the opposition and that is what they do... they can oppose but what is the solution?

“Opposing for the sake of opposing does not solve the issue. What is important is the public, and not just the Malaysian public but also the Australian public.”

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