Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi must give an account over why the Police’s Special Branch (SB) allegedly gave input to help political parties in Penang, a DAP MP said.

Citing testimony from former Gerakan exco member Dr Toh Kim Woon at the Bersih People’s Tribunal that the SB often gave input to former Penang chief minister Koh Tsu Koon to help improve BN’s standing during elections, Teresa Kok said this should prompt Zahid to investigate.

“Why should the Special Branch be involved in such non-police related work?” Kok, who is also the MP for Seputeh, wrote in a press statement.

Kok quoted from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) website which states that the SB’s objective was “to collate and analyse security intelligence in upholding law and public order whilst maintaining peace and security”.

“Certainly the performance and popularity of elected representatives cannot be the duty of the Special Branch. The practice of collecting such reports is an abuse of the role of Special Branch and a misuse of precious police resources,” Kok said.

Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said yesterday that he has received no such reports from the SB, adding that it may have been discontinued when Pakatan Rakyat took control of the state from 2008.

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