Asking Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar whether he is an "Umno barua" (Umno lackey) is only a rhetorical question directed at him alone, Selangor Menteri Besar's political secretary Shuhaimi Shafiei said today.
In defending his boss Azmin Ali, Shuhaimi said only the IGP himself need to answer the question as his actions only benefits Umno and not everyone else.
"The question asked by Azmin who is also the Selangor Menteri Besar on whether the IGP is a 'barua' to the ruling party, ultimately, is for the good of the police institution and the force can be seen as free from any political influence by the people.
"The question raised needs to be answered by the IGP personally and not by letting the Senior Police Officers Association release a statement that give a very different meaning (than what was asked)," Shuhaimi ( left ) said in a statement.
Shuhaimi insisted that in all ceramahs attended by Azmin and his party, PKR, they never had any animosity with the police force, especially the lower ranking ones as most of them are only doing their jobs and following orders.
He claims that Pakatan Rakyat leaders and leaders from the ruling party are treated differently and cited the case of an ex-IGP who beat up a PKR highest leader, in reference to the incident between Anwar Ibrahim and a former top cop.
"At the same time there has been several serious cases committed by Umno BN leaders which they got off scott-free. Recently, there was a case involving the IGP's brother that organised and involved in a demonstration on the removal of a cross," he said.
Police reports lodged
Today three police reports were lodged against Azmin for making the remark at a ceramah in Pulau Pinang during a campaign for the Permatang Pauh by-election which will be held tomorrow.
The chairperson of the Gazetted Officers Branch of the Senior Police Officers Association, Shah Gzali Khan Shahadad, said the remark had hurt the police.
"The entire police force is very hurt by this statement… and strongly condemn Azmin.
"Insulting and bashing the IGP means insulting and bashing the entire police institution that serves the people, without taking into account politics, race or religion.
"We urge Azmin to issue an open apology for this insult," Shah Gzali said in a statement today.
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