Cops to reopen Datuk Seri’s ‘cold’ cases, MACC starts probe
They will revisit 10 cold cases, including causing hurt by use of dangerous weapons
POLICE will dig up past criminal files of a “Datuk Seri” who is being investigated for assault. They are revisiting no fewer than 10 cases, including alleged robbery and causing hurt by use of dangerous weapons, which are offences under the Penal Code.
The New Straits Times had revealed on its front page yesterday that the 29-year-old man, who was bestowed with at least two honorific titles even after the files were opened against him, never faced any charges for the alleged offences.
The report quoted sources as saying that investigators probing the assault case had inadvertently found more dirt on the individual than they had bargained for.
They said his alleged criminal activities dated back to 2009.
It is understood that the Datuk Seri, who tested positive for drugs when he surrendered himself to the police on Monday to facilitate investigations into the alleged assault of three People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) men, also had a drug abuse case in 2009.
This was also the first investigation paper opened against him.
“The Datuk Seri was also allegedly arrested in 2013, under Section 324 of the Penal Code (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), and another time, for alleged robbery ,” said the source, adding that investigations against the suspect had long been wrapped up.
The Datuk Seri is under police custody for the alleged assault case. His remand expires today.
It was reported that the alleged assault at 6.30am last Friday near a temple in Am pang, Ku ala Lump ur, happened when the Rela men asked him to move his Toyota V ell fire, which was obstructing traffic.
Another report had also been lodged against the Datuk Seri for allegedly attempting to pay RM10,000 each to the victims to have them retract their police report.
The NST yesterday asked Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at a press conference on the status of the man’s past cases.
The investigations will be carried out by the federal headquarters police... We have yet to identify where the 10 cases were filed. TAN SRI NOOR RASHID IBRAHIM Deputy inspector-general of police
He turned the matter over to the deputy inspector-general of police, who was a few seats away from him, to respond.
Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said now that the man was in police custody, they would use the time they had with him to probe into the 10 alleged cases.
“We need to look into each of the cases to get details of the investigations,” he said at the new Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs and Quarantine Complex, where Zahid, who is also home minister, was visiting.
Noor Rashid said there could be many reasons why the man was not charged for the cases.
This, he said, could be because there was “lack of evidence and information” or that “the warrants of arrest could not be served”.
He added that police were also looking into where the 10 alleged offences were committed.
“The investigations will be car- ried out by the federal headquarters police... We have yet to identify where the 10 cases were filed,” he said.
The NST report yesterday also quoted sources as saying that the case files in question showed the Datuk Seri’s possible links to money-lending syndicates.
It is understood that investigators could use preventive laws, including the Prevention of Crime Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, against the suspect.