PARTY SUPPORTERS URGED TO OBEY THE LAW
Home minister issues reminder after police car was ‘checked’ for extra ballot papers
TAN Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has reminded supporters of all political parties to obey the rule of law at all times, especially during elections and by-elections.
This followed an incident where five supporters of a political party allegedly stopped and checked a police patrol vehicle during the Rantau by-election.
“I urge all parties to follow the law at all times. Preventing a civil servant from carrying out his or her duty is an offence under the Penal Code.
“A police report has been lodged over the incident (involving the patrol vehicle). As such, I will leave it to the police to investigate and take appropriate action under the law,” Muhyiddin said.
In Seremban, Negri Sembilan police chief Datuk Mohamad Mat Yusop said two of the five men who stopped the police patrol vehicle had been arrested.
He said the duo were both members of a political party and were picked up from their homes, adding that police had identified the three other men involved in the incident.
Earlier, Mohamad said police were disappointed with the actions of the five men.
“It was as if they are more powerful than the police,” he said.
Video footage of the incident had since gone viral on social media, where several individuals were seen “checking” a police patrol car outside SJK (C) Chung Hua in Rantau.
Mohamad said the act was probably the first in the country’s history, where members of the public took to inspecting a police vehicle.
“They were extreme, challenging
us in our duties and embarrassing us by alleging that police were carrying extra ballot papers. However the policemen were very professional,” he said at the Seremban police headquarters here yesterday.
Present were Seremban deputy police chief Superintendent Mohd Rosli Ishak and district Criminal Investigation Department head Deputy Superintendent Ahmad Jamaluddin.
Describing the incident at 6pm on Saturday, Mohamad said two police cars were escorting a vehicle carrying ballot papers to the school. He said the police vehicles, however, did not enter the school but had stopped outside to control traffic.
“Five men then came forward, claiming that our officers were bringing extra ballot papers. They had no right check the police vehicle as they were civilians.”
He said two of his officers should not have allowed the men to check the car, but they had to give in to avoid untoward incidents.
“The policemen opened the car bonnet and they only found a safety box and first-aid kit.
“I emphasise that the police were just escorting another vehicle, and did not carry extra ballot papers as alleged.
“Police were not able to arrest the supporters as they outnumbered our officers,” he said.
A report of the incident was lodged yesterday and Mohamad said police had identified the five men, aged between 30 and 50, adding that action would be taken under Section 186 of the Penal Code.