Deputy Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan sidestepped a possible confrontation with politicians when he declined to comment on yesterday's diatribe against the police by several members of Parliament.

"What was said yesterday was a parliamentary issue. I do not want to comment on it...We have procedures to follow during police roadblocks," said Musa in response to potshots from Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition parliamentarians.

Tiong King Sing, the BN member of Parliament for Bintulu, had criticised some police officers for 'not using their brains' when mounting roadblocks.

To a question as to why they did not use their brains, Tiong replied: "They have brains, but don't know where they keep them".

He also ridiculed the manner in which the police mount roadblocks, describing them as hiding behind trees and suddenly jumping out 'like ghosts' when motorists approach.

Investigations underway

He said this in reference to an incident involving Padang Lalang state assemblyperson Tan Teik Cheng, who reportedly obstructed policemen from continuing with a roadblock in his constituency in Penang.

In the Oct 1 incident, the policemen manning the roadblock had stopped a motorcyclist and issued a summons because he was riding a modified machine.

When Tan later returned with the motorist and his father, Tan was alleged to have 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.

Musa reiterated that investigations were underway to determine whether Tan can be charged for obstructing the police.

The Attorney-General's Chambers will then decide whether or not to press charges against the assemblyperson, he added.