Catholic Bishop Emeritus Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing described as “stupefying” the response of inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to mounting criticism of the police role at a university seminar last Saturday on promoting awareness of Christian proselytisation of Muslims.

A paper at the seminar held at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Malacca was presented by a Special Branch officer and this has become a lightning rod for controversy.

Today Khalid defended the police role by raising this poser: “I want to ask you, are there any laws saying (police attending such a seminar) is wrong.”

“We can be anywhere and we are always everywhere,” the chief cop added.

Paul, a vocal defender of the rights of religious minorities, said that Khalid had demeaned his office by responding in the manner he did to public criticism of police participation in the seminar.

“I find his defence of the police role at the seminar stupefying because its theme smacks of fear-mongering and Christian-bashing and police participation in it can be interpreted as an endorsement of its contents,” said the bishop.

“He has debased his high office by allowing the police to participate in the seminar and his frivolous reaction to legitimate criticism further tarnishes the name and role of the force in the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the country,” added the prelate.

Paul said that in a constitutional democracy the police are regarded as an impartial arbiter seeking only to prevent crime, protect the law-abiding, and maintain peace and security of the country.

“The police are not to become a participant or facilitator of contentious forces seeking to espouse their contested viewpoints in public or private forums.

“That is not the role of the police. They should stand apart from the distempers that roil society and not take part in them,” he said.

Paul described as “mangled” the notion that police were at the seminar to ensure “safety aspects” related to the topic.

“I would think that their participation would have heightened the danger inherent in such a seminar rather than pared down its perils,” he said.

He said the IGP's “misconception of the role of the police was astounding for someone in his lofty position but not particularly surprising given the general debasement of fiduciary duties and standards of present times in our country”.