It is up to PKR Padang Serai parliamentarian N Surendran to decide if he still wants to take up the invitation to join the police operation, said inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.

There is no way the police have any way to guarantee Surendran’s safety, he told a press conference today when attending Best Police Station award.

“The police can’t even ensure their own safety when  they’re facing a dangerous situation, how can I give a (safety) assurance?” he said.

“I can’t even guarantee my staff’s safety. That’s why from an early stage, I already said he needed to sign the indemnity letter,” he said.

“It’s up to him,” he responded when asked if the invitation was still on.

Surendran had been a frequent critic of the police abuses, particularly on issues of custodial deaths and police shootings.

The most notable incident revolved around the police shooting of five men in Penang in August.

Based on Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's comments during a subsequent televised interview, Surendran alleged that the minister had admitted to the shooting being premeditated.

Following this, Khalid invited Surendran to join the police in an operation. Although he had accepted the invitation, Surendran had refused to sign an indemnity letter which absolves the police of any responsibility should any mishap occurs.