IGP: Others knew from shouts that it was police op

KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar reiterated his stand not to apologise and defended the way his men handled a doctor in a raid earlier this month.

Claims were made that Dr Thanendran Renganathan, who works at the Serdang Hospital, was mistreated by the police after being mistaken for a robber on Oct 7.

Khalid also denied that the doctor was assaulted by four to six policemen who were part of the raiding party on the trail of robbers in an operation dubbed “Op Tajam”.

The same evening, seven people were arrested in the vicinity after an armed robbery in Kajang nearby.

Five parang, a car, two motorcycles, masks, gloves and goods taken from a robbery victim were recovered from the suspects near the stall outside the hospital.

Khalid said during the operation, Dr Thanendran fled from the police, who wore ski masks, as they approached the stall where he was with about 10 other people.

“It was clear others knew the operation was going on based on the shouts of ‘police’ to indicate who they were as well as the bulletproof vests with the words ‘polis’ and ‘Stafoc’ worn by them,” he said.

The word Stafoc refers to the Federal police Special Task Force on Organised Crime.

Khalid said Dr Thanendran, in his medical report, had “stumbled and slipped, and fell down in front of the hospital lobby”.

He was later handcuffed when he continued to struggle with the police officers.

He also denied the police saw a stethoscope around the neck of the doctor who wore blue scrubs at the time.

It came off him when he fell and was found three metres away.

Khalid stressed the doctor was apprehended in accordance with standard operating procedures, including the time he spent at the police station.

“He was treated well and was given medical attention based on his request.

“He was also offered a ride back to his home but he declined and wanted to wait for his father,” Khalid said and revealed that the doctor’s father was a former policeman.

“I hope this issue will not be manipulated to tarnish the image and reputation of the police,” Khalid added.

In Op Tajam, the police had arrested 14 people in two raids, including seven who were detained at a stall adjacent to the Serdang Hospital on the same day Dr Thanendran was allegedly manhandled.

The Malaysian Medical Association has since called on the police to make a sincere apology on the matter as well as urging the Health Ministry to ensure the safety of its healthcare personnel on its premises. Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar