YOURSAY ‘Will the police chief come forward and clear this matter?’

'Zahid wrote to FBI to correct wrong report'

Sali Tambap: Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was obviously writing a recommendation for alleged underworld kingpin Paul Phua to be let off the hook by the US authorities.

If it was erroneous, it only showed what a complete idiot this minister is for making such an error. But it was more of a lie. Zahid said in his letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI):

"Moreover, according to our records, Mr Phua has, on numerous occasions, assisted the government of Malaysia on projects affecting our national security and accordingly, we continue to call upon him to assist us from time to time and as such, we are eager for him to return to Malaysia."

When did this character ever assist the government and what national security projects they were?

Chandra: "It is not such a big deal, as far as I am concerned," said top-notch lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah in downplaying the seriousness of the charge against Phua, stating that it was merely a "revenue" offence - for gambling without a licence.

But for this "not such a big deal" case, the US lawyer firm hired by the presumed innocent before proven guilty client is Messrs Chesnoff & Schonfeld, which is listed as one of the top criminal law firms in the US.

Gerard Lourdesamy: The next time a Malaysian gets arrested abroad I suppose his or her lawyers are entitled to get a support letter from the home minister to exonerate them.

What is so exceptional about this case that the minister at the request of a lawyer in private practice who denies being an Umno lawyer can issue such a letter in defence of a person charged with a crime in the US simply because his lawyers in the US needed clarification.

The US lawyers could have written directly to Zahid or done it through our mission in the US or they could have written to Bukit Aman for confirmation. The whole episode shows how influential Shafee is in the corridors of power.

Onyourtoes: Shafee, is the home minister obliged to answer your question?

If the FBI wants certain information or want to confirm certain information from the Malaysian police or home minister, why can't that agency write directly to the Malaysian government? Why are you writing as if you are the FBI?

Then you said, the minister took two months to reply to your letter. Somehow, you knew exactly the reason why he took two months because, as you said, he needed time to get the information from the police.

What, are you the shadow home minister now (in addition to being the shadow attorney-general)?

The Malaysian police are not sure whether 14K triad was real or not? Read this, it is even in Wikipedia :

“The 14K is a triad group based in Hong Kong but active internationally. It is the second largest triad group in the world with around 25,000 members...” it says.

Vijay47: Shafee said: "The mistake is very big, it affects people's liberty." "Zahid's letter that Phua had aided the government in matters of national security." "Zahid may have disclosed the additional information in ‘defence’ of a Malaysian citizen."

Thank goodness, all this emerged early in the year, there is still time to nominate Phua for some ‘pingat’ (medal) or another, and Zahid himself for the 'Mahatma Gandhi Award'.

Hey, all you police custody inmates, stop cheering so loudly. Incidentally, I am applying for a job with the CIA (Central Investigation Agency).

I hope that Zahid will give me a testimonial that all in all, despite my sentiments regarding former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad, I am rather a decent sort. Oops, I forgot, I am also a Malaysian citizen.

Rakyat-in-Grief: According to our home minister an alleged underworld kingpin is helping the BN government in ‘national security’. You can imagine what sort of a government is running the country.

In this respect, the home minister is contradicting the police. Now it is up to the IGP to publicly accept the home minister's version or refute it. Will the IGP come forward and clear this matter?

Real Truth: Something is indeed very fishy here, to assume that a letter written by a junior officer of PDRM (Royal Malaysian Police) is not suitable, as this information would be checked for accuracy and can be handled only by the top officers, that too with the knowledge of IGP (inspector-general of police).

Only the police can write officially to the FBI, since only the relevant police agency handled such matters. The home minister can only communicate to the State Department or through the State Department.

It is improper for the home minister to respond to a letter from the legal firm. Legal firms have pecuniary interest and will not be serving the nation’s interest.

If PDRM has made a mistake as claimed, can Phua sue the PDRM for this mistake and subsequent hardship?

Why is this not going through AG's Chambers? Has the AG's office contracted out its duty to private legal firms?

Even with the missing jet engines, the AG had to go to one of the South American country to retrieve it. Incidentally, what happen to that case where a low ranking officer was charged, but nothing is known about it?

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