‘Cop killing could be work of assassins’
TELUK INTAN: The murder of a policeman in Kedah by secret society members could be the work of hired killers, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“This is based on the latest reports I received from Bukit Aman CID and the Kedah police chief (Datuk Asri Yusoff) on the incident,” he told reporters after opening the Teluk Intan Umno division meeting here yesterday.
Sub Inspector Abu Hashim Ismail ( pix) 54, was shot dead at a house in Taman Hosba, Changloon last Friday. He was attached to Bukit Aman’s Secret Societies, Gambling and Anti-Vice division (D7).
“There is a possibility of hired killers from outside the country being involved, and we will seek mutual legal assistance, intelligence cooperation and sharing of intelligence to track down the killers,” said Ahmad Zahid.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also home minister, declined to name the country or countries where the hired killers could be from as it involved diplomatic relations.
“We are committed to bringing down the crime index although police personnel have to face risks.”
Also present at the meeting was Teluk Intan Umno division chairman Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin.
“Although the personnel was on leave he was committed to carry out his duties.
“We offer our condolences to the family, and the government will provide assistance to them.”
Meanwhile, in JITRA, two men have been remanded for seven days to help in investigations into Abu Hashim’s killing.
The two were brought to the magistrate’s court at 8.30am yesterday to be remanded.
Magistrate Mohd Hadi Hakimi Harun granted the remand order under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). The duo will be remanded until Saturday.
Kubang Pasu district police chief Superintendent Mohd Ismail Ibrahim said the suspects were arrested when they turned themselves in on Saturday.