We refer to the letter by TSP titled Dr M is right, attacks on civilians is terrorism (April 2) and to the statement in the Star by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Groups or governments that support attacks on civilians must be regarded as terrorist, irrespective of the justification of the operations carried out, irrespective of the nobility of the struggle.

He said at the special session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers on Terrorism, If the attacks is against civilians, then they must be considered as terrorists. Everyone supporting them must also be considered as terrorists and where states were behind such acts, the whole government must be condemned.

Based on this definition, we now hope that all parties including the media will no longer refer to the Kampung Medan tragedy as clashes anymore. It was really terror attacks on the hapless residents.

We applaud and welcome the PMs statement. However, we are surprised that the Kampung Medan attacks have not been classified as such when a hundred over innocent civilians were attacked, slashed, butchered and murdered in cold blood by an organised armed group of criminals from outside Kampung Medan.

The killings and slashings went on for15 days beginning on March 8, 2001. Some of the attacks were purportedly done in full view of the police and at other times in broad daylight. These perpetrators should be condemned as terrorists in Malaysia.

A year has passed but the government has not completed or made public any inquiries, white paper, inquests, et cetera. The perpetrators have not all been arrested and charged. Many promises made to the victims have yet to be realised.

Are we more concern about terrorism in a faraway land than in our own backyard?

We urge the PM to restore and uphold justice for the Kampung Medan victims first before tackling terrorism at the international level. Strong measures should be taken to wipe out this menace from our land.

Prim supports PM in condemning terrorism, crime and violence both locally and internationally. But as they say, charity starts at home and so the PM should address the Kampung Medan attacks first before addressing terrorism elsewhere.