Azmin slams top cop for arresting May Day protesters
BY LOOI SUE-CHERN
Published: 4 May 2015 9:26 AM
PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali urges the Inspector-General of Police to show professionalism in his job, lest he be called an Umno or BN lackey. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 4, 2015.PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali lashed out at Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar last night for arresting May Day rally-goers, which included Pakatan Rakyat leaders and prominent activists, over the past few days.
Calling Khalid an Umno lackey, Azmin said that he wondered if the IGP was really concerned about the people's safety when police started hauling up rally participants who were protesting against the implementation of goods and services tax (GST).
"Why arrest and hold them for hours, days, nights? What for? Even the investigating officer was not there (to take statements). Is this cruel or fair?
"It has gone overboard. Where is the wisdom and sensibility of the IGP?" he said in a ceramah at the Kubang Ulu polling district centre in Penanti, Permatang Pauh last night.
"It is shameful as the IGP," he said, while challenging Special Branch police personnel attending the ceramah to relay his message back to Khalid.
"Please record and tell that the people want him to be an IGP they can respect... someone who has dignity and principles.
"If you (Khalid) don't, then the people will hate you because you have become a lackey for Umno and BN (Barisan Nasional)."
He added that he was not trying to insult Khalid but was asking him to do his job to ensure the country's safety.
"I was just asking, not accusing him. I posed a question to him and the people of Permatang Pauh. Is asking question also not allowed now?
"I did not accuse him. I asked if he wanted to do his job to take care of the people's safety or otherwise. It was a question, not an accusation."
Azmin said that Khalid must answer it through his actions, and through statements or tweets.
"Arresting leaders, activists and those from non-governmental organisations... What were their crimes and what is the purpose of keeping them in lock-up overnight or for several hours?
"These are questions that must be answered through more professional conduct. That is my hope for the people."
Following the anti-GST rally on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, the police had picked up PR leaders including Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, Batu MP and PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang, Pandan MP and PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli, #KitaLawan secretariat member Fariz Musa, former Malaysian Bar president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and others.
Yesterday, Khalid Samad and Fariz turned up at the Dang Wangi police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and they were kept waiting by the investigating officer.
The duo said they ended up watching CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) television show followed by the boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao while waiting at the police station.
Among others who were picked up were 23 youths and six minors. The youths, who were accused of spraying graffiti at business premises and using smoke bombs, were remanded for three days since yesterday to help investigation. – May 4, 2015.
.jpg)
