The 'brains' of police personnel were dissected during debate in the Dewan Rakyat today, with a Barisan Nasional (BN) backbencher claiming that some do not make sufficient use of their grey matter.

"Some of these policemen don't use their brains," said Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) when debating Budget 2006.

He started the issue by claiming that some civil servants were not friendly in discharging their duties, especially when dealing with the public.

At this juncture, Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Itam) asked his opinion on a recent case where a state assemblyperson had allegedly obstructed policemen from mounting a roadblock.

In reply, Tiong said some police personnel "were not using their brains".

This prompted deputy speaker Lim Si Cheng to ask, "Why don't they use their brains when they have brains?"

"They have brains, but don't know where they keep them," replied the MP, amidst laughter.

'Like ghosts'

Tiong then proceeded to ridicule the manner in which police mount roadblocks.

"These policemen hide behind the trees and suddenly jump out, they are like ghosts...people with heart attacks will die on the spot or accelerate to run away," he said.s

"On the other hand, police will think the drivers are escaping because they are criminals so they shoot the drivers. So who's fault is it at the end of the day? It's the police who are at fault."

At this point, Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) said police personnel seemed to be more hardworking than usual at roadblocks during festive seasons.

She asked if there could be "discussions" (between motorists and policemen) behind the trees on how to kow-teem (settle) the issue.

She then urged the police to unveil their guidelines on manning roadblocks and to carry out a study on whether it is appropriate to hide behind trees when carrying out such operations.

Responding, Tiong said his statements were not meant to imply that all police personnel were corrupt, adding that such accusations should not be made during the month of Ramadan.

Last week, Padang Lalang state assemblyman Tan Teik Cheng was reported to have obstructed policemen from continuing with a roadblock in his constituency on Oct 1.

It was reported that the policemen manning the roadblock had stopped a motorcylist and issued a summons because he was riding a modified machine.

The motorcyclist later returned with his father and Tan, who allegedly told the policemen to leave as the roadblock was creating problems.

Tan later claimed that the policemen were not in uniform and had been hiding behind a tree at a bend.

Contacted later, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan said he will have to read the statements first before making a comment.

"I will have to read what they said first, before I respond," he added.