Was the police attempting to cover-up a controversial video-clip depicting a nude woman being forced to perform ear-squats?

This was among the questions raised by opposition leader Lim Kit Siang during a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

He raised this possibility following a news report which claimed that the police were aware of the clip five days before it was exposed by DAP parliamentarian Teresa Kok on Thursday.

According to the report, MCA Public Service and Complaints Department Michael Chong said he received the video clip via MMS last Saturday and had discussed "further action" to be taken with Selangor chief police officer Yahaya Udin.

"If what Chong revealed is right, the Selangor police chief might be guilty of a gross dereliction of duty. Was he trying to cover up the scandalous police Abu Ghraib incident?"asked Lim.

There has been widespread outrage, even from the highest levels of the government, over the clip , which shows the woman, believed to be of Chinese origin, being forced to do ear squats by a police woman.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had instructed the police to launch an immediate and exhaustive probe with no 'cover-ups' .

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan, according to another report, said the incident had occurred at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters and the policewoman has been identified as a constable.

However, he could not be reached for comment today.

Focus on the case

Meanwhile, Lim also asked why the police was 'wasting' so much time investigating how the video clip came about instead of the incident itself.

"I want to make the point that calls for the lodging of police reports and police investigations should not become a refined form of police harassment,"he said.

"Why is the police spending so much time investigating how the press got the video clip instead of the facts of the 'Abu Ghraib' scandal in the police force?" he asked.

He was responding to a report that the police had recorded statements from two Chinese daily journalists in connection with the case.

Teresa, who was also present, said she has notified Parliament of her intention to table a motion for the House to adjourn under Standing Order 18 (1) in order to debate the issue.

"Considering that this MMS clip has eroded the image of the police force and country, it is important for the House to debate this issue and various other issues relating to misconduct and the police force," she added

Teresa said she had submitted her motion through fax yesterday, but has yet to receive an answer from House Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib.

Ramli, when met, acknowledged having received the notification but declined to comment on it.

"Yes, I have received (the letter). But I cannot comment on the matter now. I haven't decided," he said.