‘RALLY SCRAPPED DUE TO SECURITY FEARS’
IGP says police made decision based on reports lodged
INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador believes that the court order obtained by Kajang police to cancel yesterday’s rally against the introduction of Jawi in vernacular schools was done in the interest of security.
He said that there was no other reason behind the move, as claimed by political organisations.
Hamid said the decision by the Selangor police chief and Kajang district police chief to obtain the court order was likely based on the numerous police reports lodged against the demonstration.
“I have entrusted them with the responsibility of handling this issue, so they are in the position to assess the situation in terms of security. I have no role in it.
“Maybe they felt that it was best for the rally to be postponed or cancelled and to be reorganised in a manner that does not touch on the sentiments of others,” he said on Friday.
The Chinese Organisations Joint Conference had planned to hold a rally at the auditorium of the New Era College University in Kajang, Selangor, yesterday.
But in a statement on Friday, Chinese education group Dong Jiao Zong said it had received a court order from the police at 5.10pm that same day.
Hamid said that he had initially instructed the police to be fully prepared should the rally proceed.
“In the present climate, there may be provocation of sorts, so the police are in the best position to assess the situation.”
He said he held firm to the principle of democracy that people have the freedom to speak within given parameters.
Hamid said there was no hidden agenda on his part to foil the rally.
“I am not one who plays politics. I am confident that after this, people will get back to their senses and think rationally to ensure this issue is not sensationalised.
“After 62 years of independence, we are supposed to be very wise. But sadly, while the country has matured, the thinking of some people has not.”
He said provocative behaviour and the reaction to it were burdensome to the police, who were in the midst of reviewing proposals on the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission.
“As such, this issue (disrupts our focus). It should not have happened in the first place. Our focus now is on the force to ensure a better delivery system to the people.
“So it is my hope that those who like to touch on religious issues are more rational.
“No one will benefit from it. All will be lost,” he said, adding that politicking was allowed within the confines of the Constitution.
Hamid also dismissed as “speculation” claims that Muhammed Yusoff Rawther had lied in his polygraph test on Dec 17.
“We will not make findings from the polygraph test (public). Any findings and evidence obtained will be given to the attorney-general for a decision.”
Hamid said polygraph test results were inadmissible as evidence in court proceedings and were used by investigators only to determine the veracity of a person’s claim.
Last month, Yusoff, a former research officer for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, filed a statutory declaration claiming that he was sexually assaulted by the Port Dickson member of parliament.
The claim was denied by Anwar, who is PKR president.
Police have since opened an investigation paper and called Yusoff and Anwar to record their statements.