I note with consternation the quick police action in arresting Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor based on a report lodged by Umno Youth. The report itself was based on 'hearsay' evidence, a statement purportedly attributed to Ezam by an Umno-controlled paper.

Firstly, the police action has confirmed the public perception that its top officers have allowed themselves to become a political tool of Umno. Is there no more honour and professionalism in the force, in view of the fact that they are all members of the Malaysian Public Services by virtue of Article 132 of the Federal Constitution and that their salaries are paid for from public funds? Should they not be serving the public instead of those Umno politicians?

A professional police investigation over the alleged 'seditious statement' should obviously start with the police interviewing the reporter who allegedly wrote the news report. Only when the police have established from the reporter that Ezam had indeed called for street demonstrations to topple the government would the police have sufficient basis to call in Ezam for interrogation.

Even then an arrest is really quite unnecessary. As it is the accuracy of the report has not been established. The police do not have reasonable suspicion that he has committed an offence.

What has happened to the Malaysian police force. Is there no honour left in the service?