Do not yield to political pressure and do serve the people without fear or favour - opposition party PAS had this to say during a meeting with Johor police chief Musa Hasan.

Contacted today, PAS Johor Youth chief Mazlan Aliman said a memorandum was submitted to Musa on Nov 6 in response to the latter's public criticism that unidentified MCA leaders were interfering in his work and preventing his officers from carrying out their duties.

"Musa spoke, for instance, about being called by a particular member of Parliament of the MCA in Johor at about 1am to question him about his checks on certain entertainment and gambling centres in Johor Bahru," Mazlan said.

"Johor Bahru is known as an entertainment centre and the rise of such places is directly related to the increase in crime rates in the state."

Mazlan explained that the combination of gambling, alcohol and presence of sex-workers in such centres could led to crime.

He also said the MCA politician who allegedly intervened in the police investigations should be punished.

"Such intervention is tantamount to preventing public officials from carrying out their duties, and is a very serious offence," he said, referring to Section 186 (Penal Code) that stipulates a maximum jail sentence of three months and/or a fine not exceeding RM1,000 for the offence.

Battling corruption

Mazlan said the matter has also been brought to the attention of the state's Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and urged the watchdog not to be 'choosy' in deciding whom to investigate.

"We know that the ACA is aware of top leaders of the MCA state division who are involved in or connected to such entertainment and gambling centres either by direct ownership or through their connections with the owners of such places," Mazlan alleged.

"If the ACA is transparent and serious about (Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad, photo ) Badawi's call to battle corruption then it should not just be the 'small people' who are targeted, but political leaders as well."

Meanwhile, the PAS leader also alleged that several high-ranking police officers have benefitted from these gambling centres.

"We know that one former OCPD has been suspended, another officer with the title 'Datuk' has been transferred to another area within Johor, and a DCP in Muar has been found guilty of corruption and is in the process of appealing."

In view of this, Mazlan called on the police chief to crack down on such errant officers and to work on the integrity of the police force.