IGP: They’re still in the country

Police chief urges public to assist in search for father and daughter

KUALA LUMPUR: M. Indira Gandhi’s ex-husband and daughter are believed to be still in the country, says Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

The Inspector-General of Police said police believed K. Pathmanathan @ Muhammad Riduan Abdullah and his daughter had not left the country following checks with the Immigration Department.

“We are abiding by the court ruling and searching for them,” he said at a press conference after witnessing the handing over of the Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance (JIPS) Department’s director post from outgoing director Comm Datuk Seri Abd Rahim Hanafi to Comm Datuk Asri Yusoff yesterday.

“In fact, we have been searching since 2014. I have given specific instructions to all elements of the police force, especially CID, to track them down,” the IGP added.

He said the biggest obstacle was a lack of leads.

“That is why I appeal for the assistance of the public in tracking the ex-husband and the daughter.

“We hope anyone with pertinent information will contact the police as soon as possible,” he said.

On Monday, the Federal Court ruled in Indira’s favour, nullifying the unilateral conversion of her three children – Tevi Darsiny, 20, Karan Dinish, 19, and Prasana Diksa, now nine years old – to Islam by her ex-husband.

The Federal Court had, on April 29, 2016, ordered the IGP to execute a warrant of arrest for Riduan, who had disobeyed the Ipoh High Court’s order to return Prasana to her moth- er, after granting Indira full custody of her children.

On another matter, Mohamad Fuzi said former Bersih 2.0 deputy chairman Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan had been freed on police bail after his statement was recorded for allegedly insulting Islam last year.

He said Sarajun Hoda was arrested on Monday over an online posting. “We have taken his statement and released him on police bail.

“We are investigating under Section 298 of the Penal Code for uttering words with intent to wound the religious feelings of any person.”

The IGP also thanked the Government, especially Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, for the RM13mil allocation to repair and upgrade the General Operations Force barracks headquarters.

“We are grateful for the allocation. Maybe such effort will be (channelled) to the rest of the country in stages but we understand the constraints,” he said.

Mohamad Fuzi also saluted Comm Abdul Rahim for almost 35 years of service, which culminated in him helming JIPS.

“He is a fine example of a dedicated officer. I have no doubt Comm Asri will strive to emulate him or even do better,” he said.

In his farewell speech, Comm Abdul Rahim said JIPS received 3,180 complaints last year and managed to resolve 86% of them.