I refer to CW Ho's letter , 'Home Minister responsible for police fiasco' and Eric Koh's letter , 'Something not right about police incompetence'.

Indeed, many Malaysians still do not understand the true meaning of ministerial responsibility in a parliamentary democracy. In the case of criticisms against the incompetence, rampant corruption, abuse of power and politicisation of the police force, ordinary people only direct their anger at the police, forgetting or not knowing that it is the home minister who is politically responsible.

As CW Ho has rightly pointed out, the police force and its top leadership are not popularly elected in any election. Knowing this fact, they can continue to be arrogant and insensitive, no matter how many Malaysians are angry and disgusted about their sub-standard performance.

The only method for the discontented people and the opposition is to mount a concerted and united campaign to demand the resignation of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as home minister, or demand him to sack Inspector General of Police Norian Mai as a warning to others in the police force.

Abdullah must not be spared in the people's campaign to improve the situation of public order in this country. This country belongs to all of us who are citizens and tax-payers. It is not the private property of Umno, MCA or the police.

As to whether there is a conspiracy among top government leaders to make Abdullah look incompetent (as suggested by Eric Koh), I do not think so for two reasons:

One, there is a strong tendency on the part of Abdullah to be soft on the police because he depends on them to help him stay in power with the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim. In other words, Abdullah's position hinges on the goodwill of the police;

Two, the incompetence, decadence and sub-standard performance of the police is clear for all to see. No one can hide these facts and realities anymore, and the mounting criticisms against the police and Abdullah cannot possibly be a conspiracy from top government leaders like Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak or de facto Law Minister Dr Rais Yatim.

To be fair, I think Najib and Rais are more competent, decisive and knowledgeable in their respective jobs than Abdullah.