VIDEO l 3.12 min

The shocking assassination of Customs Department deputy director-general (operations) Shaharuddin Ibrahim became a key issue at a political ceramah in Putrajaya last night with PAS candidate Husam Musa alleging the crime rate in the nation's administrative capital is among the highest in the nation.

NONE Speaking to a large crowd of more than 6,000 people ( right ) who had braved light rain for the ceramah, Husam said if the culprits responsible are not caught, people would see the crime as a manifestation of their fears over safety and that the escalation of crime cases “is real”.

The PAS vice-president alleged the murder may have been due to Shaharuddin's tough stance on drug smuggling, and felt such a murder makes Malaysia appear like Colombia which is known for its drug cartels.

He also claimed that CCTV cameras installed may not be able catch the images of the incident.

“If such a shocking incident can happen in the administrative capital, what more anywhere else? I believe that if our police officers are efficient, the murderers could be caught on the same day.

“Should the police fail to catch those responsible, it manifests that the fears of society on escalating crime is real as this happened during the campaign period.

“If Pakatan Rakyat takes over, we will seriously look at reducing crime as we will try and take a different approach than the present BN government,” he said.

NONE The PAS vice-president ( left ) said the crime ratio in Putrajaya, with a population of 70,000, is very high as there were more than 400 cases recorded last year including 10 rape cases, eight molest cases and numerous break-ins involving properties and cars.

Ratio wise, he said Putrajaya has a crime rate of 1:195 residents where else the national average is 1:350 people for a crime.

Husam, who is contesting in Putrajaya for the first time, said when he was there to attend the burial of Shaharuddin, he noticed the glum atmosphere of Customs officers present as none of the BN ministers were there to pay their last respects.

It was reported that Shaharuddin, who many called “Mr Clean”, was gunned down yesterday morning when on his way to work, in a case believed to be related to the underworld and drugs.

He was killed at the traffic light of Lebuh Wawasan-Lebuh Sentosa flyover, barely one kilometer from the Putrajaya police headquarters.

‘Pakatan nearing Putrajaya’

As the 13th general election campaign enters the midway point, Husam boldly predicts Pakatan will win between 118 to 122 parliamentary seats and form the new federal government.

He said this was based on data obtained nationwide and, which on the first day of campaigning showed 118 seats.

“I do not play with figures. I am honest to myself and the people. Today I am informed that we could win another four seats resulting in Pakatan is expected to get 122 seats and BN, 100.

NONE “However, we should not rest on our laurels as we should strive to win and get a bigger majority.

“We will control and god-willing we will win and rule in Putrajaya,” said Husam, who possesses an Economics degree from Universiti Malaya.

While caretaker Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ( right ) has officially declined to a debate with Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim on the respective coalition's manifestos, Husam has challenged the BN chairperson to an open debate on hudud.

He also promised that if Pakatan takes over Putrajaya, it will ensure that civil servants who are married would not be separated from their spouses, as most complained received are that they have to be separated from family due to posting.

“Can you imagine what would happen if Rosmah (Mansor) is not by Najib's side. Hence, we have to take into consideration of the welfare of the people in their postings as this would help build and strengthen the family,” he said.

He added that Pakatan would also reduce the burden of property tax in Putrajaya, which is the highest in the country.

The crowd behind the Palace of Justice grew as the frail caretaker Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat took to the stage, with some coming from Kuala Lumpur, Bangi, Kajang, Dengkil and Sepang to watch the PAS spiritual adviser speak.

NONE In his speech, Nik Abdul Aziz ( right ) advised the people to practice Islam to curb corruption and abuse of power.

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, who was also one of the speakers present, said defending BN candidate Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor would have sleepless nights if he looked at the crowd gathered last night.

Also at last night's ceramah was former Proton and Perodua chief executive officer Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir, who was seen meeting Nik Aziz and Husam privately.

When asked, he said he was here to see the ceramah.