Don't hold the government to ransom! That's the message from the Youth wings of three Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to the police.

The warning from MCA Youth, MIC Youth and Gerakan Youth followed the police's rebellion to the proposal to set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

"This is very unbecoming," said MCA Youth chief Liow Tiong Lai in response to threats from the police to allow the crime rate to rise or vote for the opposition should the watchdog be established.

The threats were contained in a bulletin meant for internal circulation which was inadvertently uploaded onto the police's official website and exposed last week by malaysiakini .

"It is wrong for government officers to do this, they should respect the government of the day. They are enforcement officers who must implement policies set by the government. Don't even think about this kind of threat," warned Liow, who also demanded an apology from the police.

The MCA Youth chief, who is also deputy youth and sports minister, reiterated the wing's support for the formation of an independent mechanism, whether it is called IPCMC or some other name.

'Speechless and disappointed'

Meanwhile, MIC Youth - which previously opposed the IPCMC - has reconsidered its decision after the latest development.

Its chief SA Vigneswaran said the threats from the police suggested the need for the IPCMC.

The wing had initially opposed the proposal on the ground that it would demoralise police personnel and argued that an internal investigative mechanism would be sufficient.

"From someone who supported the police and their opposition to the IPCMC, the latest step taken by the police actually made me speechless and disappointed. Nobody should hold the government to ransom," stressed Vigneswaran when contacted.

However, he said the final decision rested with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

On Wednesday, Gerakan Youth chief Mah Siew Keong said the wing was "deeply disappointed" with the threats.

"We cannot tolerate such statements and threats by police officers," he said in a statement.

"We appreciate the contribution made by the police and the difficulties and challenges they have to go through. However, the police force should not impose any threat on public safety despite their stand to object the proposal on the setting up of IPCMC.

"Public interest and national security should be upheld in order to maintain public confidence and accountability of the police force," he added.

Umno Youth leaders - who had opposed the IPCMC - could not be reached for comment.

Inspector general of police Mohd Bakri Omar, who came under intense pressure over the matter, said the police was always loyal to the government of the day.