Anwar: Home minister needs basic education in law
Anwar Ibrahim today slammed Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his shoot criminals first and ask questions later statement.
Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is unfamiliar with the basic principles of law, as demonstrated by his "shoot first" approach towards crime fighting, says PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who was once deputy prime minister, said the enforcement units should only apply deadly force in self defence.
"Ahmad Zahid has made a very wrong and dangerous statement... he must immediately go for basic training in criminal law," Anwar told a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.
Speaking to Umno delegates at an event in Malacca last Saturday, Zahid spoke at length about his role in securing amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 and his role in the ongoing police war on gangsterism.
After establishing that most of the victims of crimes are Malays, Zahid said: "I think the best way is that we no longer compromise with them (the criminals). There is no need to give them any more warning. If (we) get the evidence, (we) shoot first."
This triggered heavy criticism from legal and human rights experts, some of whom called for Zahid's sacking.
Pricking BN's conscience
Meanwhile, Anwar also criticised Zahid's nonchalant attitude towards the Auditor-General's Report 2012 that the police had lost 156 handcuffs, 44 firearms and 29 police vehicles and other equipment.
"By right, he should answer that he will scrutinise, investigate, give an explanation, and make sure it doesn't happen again," said Anwar.
Zahid has yet to explain in detail how this happened. However, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar floated his theory that the missing weapons could have fallen into the sea, not into the hands of criminals.
On the passing of the Prevention of Crime Act (Amendments and Extension) Bill 2013, Anwar said Pakatan Rakyat was unable to block any Bill in the Dewan Rakyat because it only had 89 seats against the BN's 133.
"For now, we don't have the numbers to block any Bill... (However) we have to prick the conscience of the BN members," he said.
On the 23 Pakatan MPs who were absent during the vote on the PCA Amendement and Extension Bill, Anwar said the Pakatan component parties would have to deal such matters themselves.
A number of Pakatan MPs were abroad on official matters at that time.
Some MPs, such as Anwar himself and Khalid Samad, had tried to return from abroad to attend the debate on the Bill but arrived too late.
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