Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang is outraged over the case of a policeman who is suing a teenager who lodged a report against the same policeman with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).

Citing the case as a set-back for Prime Minister Abddulah Ahmad Badawi's anti-corruption drive, Lim warned that the public would fear reprisals for reporting corrupt practices.

"Who would dare to lodge reports with the ACA against the police or any offending government servant, if it is going to end up with the complainant being hauled to court in interminable legal proceedings and required to pay hefty damages?" said Lim in a statement today.

Previously, the 17-year old salesgirl from Seremban, Foo Sze Kuan, lodged a report with the ACA in June last year alleging that she was harassed by a policeman and forced to pay a bribe of RM300 at a roadblock campaign against motorcyclists.

The policeman was subsequently charged in March this year, but was acquitted on technical grounds in October.

Recently, the acquitted policeman has instituted legal proceedings against her and is demanding damages.

Clear-cut rule

Lim stressed that the accused should instead file action against the ACA which was responsible for the investigation resulting in prosecution, or the Attorney-General whose chambers decided to proceed with the prosecution.

"There should be a clear-cut rule that no legal proceedings should be instituted against any bona fide complainant against public officers for corruption, or public support and co-operation in the fight against corruption will simply dry up for fear of personal repercussions," he said.

On the on-going "anti-graft" badge wearing campaign by the police, the veteran politician was bewildered that the campaign was, "the only outcome after more than six months of the police study into the Police Royal Commission Report,"

"The campaign appears to be a stand-alone initiative that is condemned to dismal failure," said Lim, adding that a larger comprehensive anti-corruption strategy to reform the police force is needed.

In another development, Lim also expressed his disappointment that Higher Education Minister Dr Shafie Salleh did not raise the issue of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Higher Education at Wednesday's cabinet meeting.

According to Lim, Shafie said that he would do so during a meeting between the two and Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan.