Sorry for my harsh words but the more I read of the events unfolding on Selva Kumar Subbiah, the more I feel we are a nation of clueless souls.

How are we supposed to lock up a former convict who has served his full sentence in Canada where the offences were committed?

If we can’t respect our constitutional provisions and the rule of law as applied to a former convict, what assurance do we have that the same safeguards will be applied to ordinary citizens? We harbour views based not on principles but on who we like or dislike.

It is the job of our police and the criminal system to protect our women and children, regardless of whether Selva Kumar walks amongst us or not.

Whether Selva Kumar exists or not, whether he is still in Canada or back home in Malaysia, this country must deal with its sexual offenders the best way it can, including setting up appropriate registries on sexual predators and paedophiles.

Selva is a convicted sexual offender. No one for sure knows whether he has repented. It is the job of the police to monitor him.

Our policing and criminal system should not be based on one individual alone. Our policing must be robust enough to deal with all former offenders, habitual offenders, imitators and sickos in our midst. I think this should be the core of our discussions, not picking on Selva Kumar specifically.

It is my considered opinion that some women politicians in this country are clamouring for attention. They love to be seen as championing a cause that is close to the hearts of women and parents. However, in the process they have shown their ignorance, arbitrariness and lack of any holistic view of the issue at hand.

TK Chua is an FMT reader.

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