Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has urged the country's top cop to desist from issuing threats of arrest under the Sedition Act against those who queried court decisions.

 

Lim was referring to Inspector General Police Khalid Abu Bakar's warning to those who questioned the Federal Court’s ruling on Monday that disallowed the use of ‘Allah’ in the Catholic weekly, the Herald .

 

The DAP secretary-general said in a statement that the IGP’s warning was unbecoming as he is charged with protecting the public.

 

Lim ( left ) said Khalid's position smacked of double standards as no action was taken against Umno and Perkasa, who on June 23, had repeated calls for the closure of vernacular Chinese and Tamil primary schools.

 

He added that the police also has no basis to arrest for sedition those who question court decisions as the IGP himself had "flagrantly broken" the law by refusing to obey and enforce a direct court order related to custodial rights issued by the Ipoh High Court.

 

"Malaysians have a legal and constitutional right to question any court decision that is finally decided. This is in accordance with political, social, and judicial norms of our country since Merdeka.

 

"Criticism of court decisions based on the law also complies with international practices and natural laws," Lim stressed.

 

Lim said if court decisions cannot be questioned, then Malaysia is no longer a democracy governed by rule of law but a dictatorship governed by men pretending to act under divine law.

 

He added that Khalid had politicised the police force into becoming a tool of BN when he failed to act against the bullies who threatened minority groups and Pakatan leaders.

 

"The refusal of the IGP to comply with civil court orders is clearly a breach of statutory duty. This has exposed Khalid as completely unfit for such a high and important position," Lim added.

 

"Khalid has conveniently forgotten one of the primary police duties under Section 20 of the Police Act 1967 is to execute any orders of summons, subpoenas, and warrants legally issued by the courts," Lim stressed.

 

Lim said Prime Minister Najib Razak’s suggestion of referring such child custody cases to the Federal Court fails to address, correct and punish such open contempt of courts and defiance of the IGP’s statutory duty.

Related stories

Minister wants action on Bible poster hoax

Stop threats of arrest for sedition, IGP told

Anwar slams Najib over 'Allah' acrimony

Mike knocks out MB in PKR division polls

'Stingy Khalid' blamed for Selangor water woes

Analysing the 'swell' against Khalid

'Let S'gor MB advise sultan on Mais leaders'

Pakatan rep: MB Khalid must act on Mais

Kidex traffic impact report to be made public