Puchong parliamentarian Gobind Singh Deo is questioning Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's June 10 written reply to him that the "raid" on the convoy transporting the Sultan of Kelantan on May 4 was an operation to ensure the safety of the ruler.

gobind singh deo jalan duta court 230409 06 Furnishing photographs and video evidence of the incident today, which he alleged was clearly an assault by heavily armed men, Gobind ( right ) told a press conference at the Parliament lobby: "The reply given by the minister is wholly unbelievable and clearly unacceptable."

In his written reply, Hishammuddin, who is Sembrong MP, had said the police "never intended to raid or detain" the sultan as alleged by Gobind, but the operation was instead intended "to ensure the maximum safety" of the ruler on his journey to a hospital for treatment.

Hishammuddin also said in the reply that the police were issued with arms and balaclavas during such operations. And in another written reply on June 28, the home minister informed Gobind that the "raid" or operation involved 77 police officers and cost nearly RM6,000.

NONE Refuting the minister's answers, Gobind then played a video recording he claimed he obtained from palace bodyguards. The recording showed the progress of the sultan's convoy from the time it left the Kelantan palace gates to the spot where the alleged "raid" took place.

The Puchong MP pointed out that the video showed that police were already escorting the Kelantan Sultan's entourage, which made it redundant for the police to the "raid" convoy.

More importantly, he pointed to scenes that showed men clad in black, wearing black balaclavas and armed with automatic weapons alighting from unmarked vehicles that ram-rodded their way between the convoy vehicles.

Minister's reply 'not reflective' of events

Gobind said the video clearly showed that the armed men proceeded to point their weapons at convoy members and acted as if "they are about to attack".

"It is very clear that the reply by the home minister is inaccurate and not reflective of the actual events that took place. I call upon the minister to explain why there are such glaring inaccuracies in his response as compared with the video," he said.

This is a very serious matter and the country could not afford to have ministers making serious mistakes in their replies to questions in the Dewan Rakyat.

"This strikes at the credibility of our home minister. Can we believe him? Should we believe him? If not, is he fit to be home minister at all?" asked Gobind.

"I don't intend to refer the minister for misleading the House as yet. I will wait for his response. I will forward the evidence and video to him and await his reply."

Hisham: It was a misunderstanding

hishammuddin hussein home ministry 140409 talking Hishammuddin ( left ), who held a press conference later in the evening, said that the whole matter was the result of a misunderstanding.

"Yes I heard that allegation. The allegation is based on UTK (Police Special Action Unit) actions and they have specific instructions to guard the VIPs. But to me it becomes redundant because the Sultan of Kelantan went for treatment and it was with the consent of his family members and I hope this matter gets resolved," said the minister.

He explained away the misunderstanding as being caused by internal issues faced by the Kelantan royal family.

"These are issues between family members and it just so happens it is between royal family in Kelantan unlike other people, you and I, every other issue becomes public interest which is unfortunate," added Hishammuddin.

The minister further said that on the issue of the 'raid' allegations, they should let the authorities do their job and investigate.