Terengganu Menteri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang said he has evidence that some quarters in the state police department were helping to promote vice entertainment and not cooperating with the state government in curbing such activities.

He also clarified that he was not referring to "the whole police team in the state but o­nly part of it" in his recent statement.

"I did not say all of them did not cooperate (with the state government). o­nly some of them don't and even made press statements," he told malaysiakini when contacted today.

Serious allegations

Abdul Hadi was commenting o­n the challenge from Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to prove his allegations that the police are protecting certain parties involved in vice activities in the state.

Abdullah described the allegations as serious and said the police could o­nly investigate them if evidence is produced.

He also said it was the task of the police to get rid of vice activities and enforce the law, not to protect parties or individuals involved in illegal activities.

Abdul Hadi's allegations were made during a ceremah (political talk) in Machang, Kelantan o­n Friday. A Malay daily carried the report.

Meanwhile, the menteri besar said he would extend full cooperation to investigations concerning his allegations.

"I will get all the details o­n this matter as soon as possible. I will collect and compile all information from my officers from all departments and districts," he said.

Imams sacked?

He also commented o­n the statement made by Terengganu Umno deputy liaison chief Idris Jusoh who in an interview with the New Straits Times yesterday, had accused him of lying o­n several issues, including that of imams being dismissed by the state government.

"I did not lie. We have never sacked imams for supporting Umno," he said.

Idris claimed that Abdul Hadi lied when he told the English daily that the imams were not sacked but rather had their services ended due to old age or expiry of their contracts.

He claimed the imams were victimised by the PAS-led government and were sacked without reasonable cause.

Not wanting to dwell further o­n the matter, Abdul Hadi said: " Let the people decide (whether I am lying or not)."