A DAP MP has described as "insincere" Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's response to his parliamentary question on why the police force was deployed for the recent Umno elections on Oct 20.

Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim expressed regret that Zahid claimed the police were only involved in managing traffic and for the security of foreign leaders who were guests at the event.

NONE "It is clear that the minister is either unaware of the incident, he was not given the right information or he was not honest about the matter, " Sim ( left ) said in a statement late last night.

He said Zahid's response contradicted the statement issued by Umno's executive secretary Ab Rauf Yusof on Sept 29.

According to media reports, Ab Rauf had said four million ballot papers would be issued and the papers would contain 18 security features, which included ultra-violet watermarks.

According to Sim, Ab Rauf had said that police had assisted in sending the ballot papers to the polling centres.

'Ballot papers kept in police stations'

Ab Rauf had also reportedly said that the ballot papers were kept in district police stations where the respective divisions were located.

"It is clear Umno used the police as security guards for its own party elections.

"The home minister, who is supposedly responsible (for the police force) did not provide accurate information on the matter," the state DAP publicity secretary added.

"Is it because the minister is not brave enough to expose the truth about the matter?

"To what extent have the police and other government resources been used to support Umno's political activities?" Sim asked.

One these grounds, Sim accused Umno of "abusing police power for the party's own narrow political interests".