The police conducted separate searches at Parti Keadian Rakyat (PKR) leader Tian Chua's office and residence this afternoon, as part of an investigation into disclosure of an allegedly secret toll concession agreement.

The searches were carried out about an hour after Chua and three other opposition politicians had been questioned at police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.

Investigation officers ASP A Rajakopal and ASP Abdullah Sohaimi Daud called at the office of PKR organ Suara Keadilan in Brickfields about 3pm.

It is understood that they had been informed that a copy of the toll agreement had been sent to the office.

However, they found nothing after a 20-minute search.

The police did not have a search warrant today but the law allows them to conduct the search without a warrant if they believe the delay in obtaining a warrant will frustrate the search.

When the two cops arrived, Chua demanded to know the provision of the OSA under which the search was being carried out.

Uncertain about this, an embarrassed Rajakopal appeared irritated with the question and asked Chua why he needed such "formality".

The police officer made a phone call later to get the answer.

'Check' of mailbox

The presence of a small number of journalists at the scene also annoyed Rajakopal, who questioned whether the journalists have permission to take his photograph.

Sohaimi ( photo below ), meanwhile, showed interest in malaysiakini cartoonist Zunar's newly-launched book , when he found a copy in a drawer.

He browsed through it for a while, and quipped that he would like to get a copy if it was free of charge.

Before they left the office, Rajakopal left everyone in stitches when he told Chua that he would like to 'check' on the mailbox into which the copy of the toll agreement was said to have been dropped.

The policemen then headed to Chua's house in Sentul to conduct a similar search but again, nothing was found after a 15-minute search.

Nevertheless, the duo did not return empty-handed - they were given a few copies of the anti-toll hike leaflet published by the coalition named Protes.