Not only is the existence of the Federal Special Forces of Malaysia itself a stunning revelation, but the statements and actions of senior government and police officials concerning the group are, to say the least, puzzling.

The statement by Deputy Home Minister Zainal Abidin Zin, reported in today's The Sun , is a prime example.

I find it difficult to accept his claim that "authorities normally pay more attention to activities of registered organisations while information on illegal movements is exposed only when the groups' actions jeopardise national security."

I would have thought that registered organisations, being open, would be far less likely to pose a threat to national security than clandestine or underground groups. While the activities of legitimate groups will generally be visible, the monitoring of underground groups requires the specialised skills of the police.

Incidentally, I am left wondering who, exactly, are the "authorities" the police, or government leaders?

Zainal Abidin goes on to defend the police from accusations of tardiness in taking appropriate action. He explains that they in fact leapt into action as soon as they knew about the Forces' existence that is, just last week.

I cannot believe that a group which has had time to recruit and organise thousands of members in many parts of the country - including senior civil servants - managed to escape the net of police intelligence right up till last week.

Rather than defending the police force, I think his statement has insulted them.

Investigations into this case are far from over, and it is hoped that the police will be allowed to complete the task with full professionalism.

Congratulations to the police, too, for successfully putting this security-threatening group out of action without using the Internal Security Act. So it is possible after all.