'Where can an ordinary citizen turn to for help if the judiciary, police and now the army do not uphold their moral obligations?'

No protection order, so ex-airman chooses jail

Thisia: One thing that boggles my mind is that, here we have a citizen who has openly said that he was tortured by Air Force personnel and is in the process of being brought into their custody one more time. Anyone with sense would say that, yes, he needs protection.

So why on earth did the judge declined to give it?

Swipenter: Jail may not be the safest place since there are 421 recorded custodial deaths since 2001. Maybe Tharmendran should request to be housed at the ‘Kamunting Hilton' since the police had arrested people under the ISA for their "own protection". It could be safer there than in Sg Buloh prison.

Was the presence of the RMAF (Royal Malaysian Air Force) officers in the court signalling Tharmendran not to reveal the involvement of others in this theft for his own good? It is crystal clear that Tharmendran is frightened out of his wits seeing those guys in court.

The perception of the public is one of disbelief that only two guys could pull off such a stunt alone without involvement of others. Come to think of it Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand didn't feel safe either. She complained of being shadowed by some guys when she was here for TBH's (Teoh Beng Hock's) second autopsy. Is our country becoming such an unsafe place these days?

Yobama: What baffles me and maybe many others is why two low‑ranking airmen would be stupid enough to steal jet engines from an airforce base, knowing full well that it would be discovered? I do not believe these two men are actually involved. There must be some masterminds behind the fiasco, like the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, allegedly by two low-ranking personnel who did not even know the victim.

Strangers don't commit murder on other strangers. In the case of the jet engines, I think the real culprits are going to go scot-free, just like the Altantuya murderers. How can Malaysia face the world with this kind of laws that set criminals free just because they are powerful people? Only the lower members of society are subject to our laws... very sad indeed.

Cala: In the doctrine of good governance, a government earns its right to govern because it discharges its responsibilities fairly. Rights and responsibilities hence are different sides of the same coin. One cannot do without the other. After subjecting a poor N Tharmendran to a three-week torture spree (as alleged), what rights has the Air Force on him and expect him to cooperate?

Anonymous: It looks like being in jail is safer than staying out of jail it. But how sure is Tharmendran that he would be safe? Air Force personnel can sneak into the Sungai Buloh prison as well. Even police lock‑ups and MACC offices are not safe.

Green Horn: No stones should be left unturned. I suggest that the police take action on the two Air Force personnel in plainclothes who were loitering around the court house. Both lawyers (N Surendran and Gobind Singh Deo) must uncover the root cause of this fiasco and bring the crooks to justice.

Louis: What has become of our security system? Raja Petra Kamaruddin is on the run, though, in fact, enjoying the English summer. Private eye P Balasubramaniam is happily enjoying himself there as well. N Tharmendran could have joined them, but for want of sponsors, hasn't. These three have one thing in common - hiding, or rather, seeking shelter from harassment by those in power or well‑connected.

Tharmendran fears for his life, which cannot be taken for granted. Looking at the charges against him, no one of sound mind will ever believe the theft of the engines was a two- or three-man job. It is highly probable that some very high-ranking officers were involved. As such, his claim of attempts to abduct him has the ring of truth to it, and it was done to silence him.

It is really sad that our security has deteriorated to such a pathetic state that innocent men have to run not from ‘Ah Longs' or the likes of 'Botak Chin', but law enforcers and the powerfully connected.

Louis: Fancy that. It is safer to be in jail than being a free man. Malaysia sangat boleh . Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein together with Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan should resign. What is the perception of investors on Malaysia when one does not feel protected by the laws of the country? Enough has been done to the economy of the country by the BN-led government.

Tan Kian Khim: The question is: is Tharmendran actually safe in a Malaysian jail, or will he end up becoming another statistic, another convenient 'accidental death' or 'suicide' in Malaysian authorities' custody? Alternatively, he could be induced to recant his statements - just like PI Bala after he was 'invited' to Brickfields police station.

It is clear that this case is nowhere near as simple as the authorities are trying to make it look. One only hopes that Tharmendran will feel safe to help reveal the true extent of corruption in the Malaysian military and the judicial system.

Lover Boy: This man wants to be out and the lawyers have to plead with the judge to reduce the bail to RM50,000. Now that he is out, the Air Force is allegedly trying to abduct him to perhaps intimidate him, so he seeks the court's protection.

Go back to jail by all means, but the lawyer must appeal to the higher courts to have this point tested. The High Court judge needs to justify his decision for denying Tharmendran the protection order.

VP Biden: Where can an ordinary citizen turn to for help if the judiciary, police and now the army do not uphold their moral obligations? This is both distressing and scary. The little man has no avenue for truth.  

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