Former Umno MP Saifuddin Abdullah is unhappy over what he sees as police’s double standards in handling demonstrators.

 

In a statement yesterday, he said the police had arrested scores of activists and parliamentarians to facilitate investigations into the pro-opposition Kita Lawan rallies.

 

But when it comes to the Umno-linked protest on Sunday against a church in Taman Medan, Saifuddin said inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar merely telephoned his brother to check on his involvement.

 

“If the IGP can call those who took part in the demonstration, then why others had to spend nights in lock-up?” said the ex-Temerloh parliamentarian and former deputy minister of higher education, referring to Kita Lawan leaders as well as those arrested in the recent sedition crackdown. 

 

IGP’s brother Abdullah Abu Bakar ( left ), a grassroots Umno leader, yesterday told reporters his brother called him to ask about his presence at the anti-cross demonstration.

 

Brother was a ‘mediator’

 

Abdullah said he told Khalid he was there as a mediator between the church and Taman Medan residents who wanted the church to remove the cross sign.

 

“The IGP called and I explained the issue. It’s about a group from the community and the church, and the church agreed to take down the cross. So there is no issue.

 

“He (Khalid, right ) just asked me. He calls me Lang. He asked, ‘Lang, what’s the story?’ and I explained to him. After he heard the explanation, he said ‘okay’,” Abdullah said after a meeting with the Petaling Jaya mayor over the matter.

 

Besides Kita Lawan-related arrests, police also hauled up at least 80 activists who participated in a sit-in at the Customs Department office in Kelana Jaya to protest the Goods and Services Tax (GST), many of whom spent nights in the lock-up.