Complainants who lodge police reports against State DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham must also be prepared to face defamation suits if the reports are found to be false.

NONE The police have summoned Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham to give a statement over his allegation that policemen were stationed at the state assembly hall during proceedings, two weeks ago.

Ngeh ( right ) is required to make a statement at the Ipoh District Police Headquarters.

He has until Thursday to do so, according to Perak police chief Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah, who added the notice was served on Ngeh yesterday.

"If they are brave enough to lodge false reports against me than they must also be brave to face the consequences," growled Ngeh who is the Beruas MP and Sitiawan assemblyperson.

He claims that the police are dragging their feet in giving him copies of the five police reports lodged against him.

He told Malaysiakini that he is in a dilemma as he does not know the contents of the reports and yet the police want his statement.

"I shall exercise my right to remain silent under Section 112 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code when the police question me." said Ngeh who is a lawyer.

Section 112(2) states: Such person shall be bound to answer all questions relating to the case put to him by that officer: Provided that such person may refuse to answer any question the answer to which would have a tendency to expose him to a criminal charge or penalty or forfeiture.

According to Ngeh, he received a mobile call from one ASP Kassim ordering him to report to the Ipoh police headquarters to record his statement.

hee yit foong interview 010209 02 When Ngeh asked for copies of the reports against him, Kassim said that the copies will only be given to him when the case comes to court.

An angry Ngeh said this is not the first time that he has been denied copies of police reports lodged against him, including one by former DAP assemblyperson Hee Yit Foong  ( left ).

When then Ngeh demanded a copy of Hee's police report, the police said would clear it with the attorney-general. Till now he is waiting for them to get back to him.