Killing of Bin Laden Uncivilized

Straits Times Indonesia | May 05, 2011

Putrajaya. Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has described as “uncivilized” the United States action to kill Osama bin Laden, who was unarmed, and then bury him at sea, when it should have tried to capture him.

Tun Mahathir was quoted as saying on The Malaysian Insider news Web site that Osama’s death would not mark the end of terrorism or Al Qaeda. He predicted instead widespread retaliation from Muslim militants worldwide.

Mahathir joined other world leaders in expressing concern over the manner in which Osama was shot and killed in the US military operation. Some have raised questions whether killing him violated international law as Osama was unarmed.

“He (Osama) is definitely a criminal, but sending a team to kill him is not the way to enforce laws. They should have arrested him if it was possible,” Mahathir was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

“If he can be captured, then capture him. But they entered, killed an unarmed man and then buried him at sea,” the former premier was quoted as saying by the Web site.

Mahathir said the US operation was merely a form of revenge against the man who masterminded the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the US.

“He was killed but as a result, perhaps it would flare up more anger and maybe violence will happen. This is not the way to fight terrorism,” Mahathir said.

“It was unlike civilised human beings. Uncivilized people,” said the Malaysian politician.