Alleged assault on doc: Cops won’t apologise
> Elite team merely did their job: IGP
KUALA LUMPUR: Police will not apologise for the actions of an elite team which allegedly tackled a doctor to the ground, handcuffed and assaulted him after he was mistaken for a robber on Oct 8.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed that the federal elite team, Special Task Force on Organised Crime (Stafoc), whose members were clad in black full tactical gear, balaclavas and carried heavy firearms, were merely doing their job.
“We were after a few house break-in suspects. We knew that these criminals used to have their meals there at a stall, and at the time when the police arrived and surrounded the place, the suspects were there.
“The elite team told everyone not to run. But the suspects and the doctor started running, so police thought he was one of the suspects.
“That was what actually happened. I think if you’ve got nothing to do with any police case then when the cops tell you to stay put, just stay put,” he told reporters after launching the Samsung Smart Library at the Police Training Centre in Jalan Padang Tembak yesterday.
Khalid was responding to a question from reporters after Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam expressed hope that police would provide an explanation on the incident after the doctor, who is attached to Serdang Hospital, was not given an opportunity to explain himself.
Subramniam said this had affected the medical personnel’s morale.
“There will be no official apology from us because we just did our duty, and of course, I regret what happened. But there will be no apology,” he added.
In another case, police believe there were elements of “torture” in the recent incident of primary school pupils who were forced to wade through a mud pit with snakes thrown in.
He said police are investigating the incident, adding that it was inappropriate for the trainers to incorporate snakes into a training programme involving schoolchildren.
“We also urge the person who made the video, which went viral, to assist police with investigations.
“We just want to record his or her statement because this person is the main witness,” he said.
In the video, a group of female students, dressed in sporting attire, were seen wading through a muddy pool when snakes were flung into the pool, leaving the girls in shock.
The incident, which took place at the Kuala Kangsar Civil Defence Force camp, happened during a team-building programme for pupils from SK Beluru, Kuala Kangsar.