TAIPING, Sept 10 — The lone suspect in a lethal hit-and-run incident here that killed three people and injured three others three months ago is walking free – sparking criticism of police inaction.

Certain quarters have claimed shoddy police investigations or cover-up into the incident on June 18 when the man — a well-known resident here — who was allegedly drunk mowed down the six people.

The suspect rammed into four motorcycles along a 2km stretch at the Taiping-Simpang main road at 2am. He reportedly drove straight home after that.

Killed were Harvinder Singh, 28, Radzizah Mohd Yusoff, 55, and her husband Mohd Zaini Abdullah 57.

The injured were Harvinder’s friend, Mohd Ismail Md Ramli, 22, and Johari Zakari, 45, who suffered a broken leg, and another unidentified motorcyclist.

The Malay Mail carried out a special investigation following questions raised in the Perak State Assembly on the delay in closing the file by state opposition leader Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin on Aug 27.

The Changkat Jering assemblyman told The Malay Mail  residents in Taiping, especially the families of the victims, were living in fear of the suspect and were afraid to talk openly about the tragedy.

Mohammad Nizar said he raised the issue in the state assembly as many Taiping residents had asked him why the suspect had yet to face action.

He said they wanted to know:

●    Why a person suspected of having killed three and injured three others was still moving around freely; and

●    Why it was taking so long to close the file since a chemistry report would normally take about three to four weeks.

“Even after I had raised the matter in the state assembly, the police have not responded to my queries,” the former Perak menteri besar said.

“Similarly, our efforts over several days to get police comments on the status of their investigations were in vain.”

Several residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, described it as dreadful police investigation and called for federal police intervention. They demanded urgency in public interest.

Those interviewed said the police owed a duty of care to bring justice to the families of those killed and injured.

“The unusual delay in bringing closure to the case is sheer injustice. Further, it has deprived the families of the deserved quantum in insurance claims,” said an elderly resident

Another resident said it appeared the suspect was untouchable. “With him strutting around the town freely gives the impression that the matter has been closed and that makes us angry.”

Most of them said the suspect, a businessman, was intimidating and that they were afraid to discuss the matter openly.

“When the police remain quiet on a horrific case, the public gets frightened. This situation cannot linger if public-police cooperation is expected in crime prevention,” said another resident.