Don’t drag us into politics, says IGP on Dr Mahathir’s statement

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pic, below) today steered away from discussing yesterday's press conference by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and senior Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders and warned against trying to drag the police into politics. He said the police force will not get involved in such matters. "I do not want to comment on the statement that Tun Dr Mahathir made yesterday. We will not get involved. Do not drag us into politics please," he told reporters at a press conference in Bukit Kiara. The top cop added that police would only launch an investigation if there was a police report lodged. "If there is a police report, then we will proceed to investigate," he said. Khalid was asked to comment on statements made by the former prime minister and other senior leaders who were critical over the initial use of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) 2012 to arrest lawyer Matthias Chang and former Batu Kawan Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan. Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Tan Sri Sanusi Junid and former MCA president Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat joined Dr Mahathir yesterday in criticising Putrajaya's use of the new security law against critics and also raised concerns over the state of the nation. Another former leader Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, also backed the group, although he was absent. They also spoke out against the detention of Chang and Khairuddin who were charged under Section 124(L) of the Penal Code yesterday, with trying to sabotage the country’s banking and financial services. Khalid, however, defended to use of the Sosma, saying that there was nothing wrong in using the Act to arrest the duo. "They were detained under Sosma. It's a procedure to detain and investigate the offenders. But, they were charged under a Penal Code." said Khalid. – October 13, 2015.