First it was legal action against a teenager, now it is a raid on the house of three women - and all because they have dared to level accusations against the police.

Parliamentary human rights caucus chairperson Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz is not in the least amused at the apparent reprisals against complainants, as his comments revealed at a press conference today.

He had just held a meeting with teenager Foo Sze Kuan, her parents and DAP Lobak state assemblyperson Anthony Loke Siew Fook (right) at Parliament House to listen to a story that has taken on a life of its own.

In June last year, Foo, then 17, was alleged to have committed a traffic offence in Seremban. The police personnel allegedly attempted to solicit a bribe, but she lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).

The officer was charged in March, but was acquitted last month. In May, though, the policeman had filed a defamation suit against Foo, now a waitress in a club. At the first hearing last week, the case was postponed to January.

Nazri, also the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said the police action was against public policy.

"If you (the police) are unhappy, you should sue the ACA, not the complainant," he said.

Fear created

He advised the police to withdraw the case as this was an indirect threat to the public.

"This has never happened before. Someone must have thought this is a clever way to threaten (complainants). If this goes through, it would be a disturbing situation," he said.

One implication, he said, is that the ACA would not be able to receive complaints because the case has created fear.

He cited his own situation in 2003 when he was accused of being involved in corrupt practice in the issuance of taxi licences.

"Eventually the AG (Attoney-General) decided that there was no basis for the complaints and I was not taken to court.

"I have a bigger reputation to protect. But I did not file a civil suit against this person (the complainant) as I understand public policy. If I had done so, it would have sent out a signal to the public that they should not lodge reports."

Midnight callers

Nazri also hit out at the police for raiding the house of three Chinese nationals who had accused the police of abuse of power. The raid took place in the early hours of this morning.

"Instead of taking action against personnel said to be involved, the police went to the houses (of the complainants) at midnight and knocked on their doors. We cannot tolerate this. How can we trust them to fairly investigate any complaints against them?" said the minister, who did not hide his fury.

"It's the same for this girl (Foo). If you threaten (people), you will not solve the problem. They (the police) should be looking at members against whom complaints have been lodged."

He said the human rights caucus would pursue the two cases and that he would raise the matter during the weekly cabinet meeting tomorrow.

"If such things go on, we will become a police state. You can't even complain about them (the police). They will put fear into you.

"The police should be taking care of us, not putting fear into us....their attitude must change. We have to pursue this. If we allow this to go on, they will feel comfortable and assume that they can do whatever they like. This has to stop. Enough is enough."

Four Chinese nationals had lodged a report last week that Petaling Jaya police had abused their powers. One of the women said she had been slapped, another said money had been taken from her, and all said they had been forced to strip.

After the public outcry, police officers at the station was called to be identified by the women.

Nazri also said immigration officers should not profile all Chinese national women as sex workers.

"How would you feel if you go to China and they profile all Malaysians as terrorists?" he asked.

Whistleblowers Act

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, who was at the press conference as a caucus member, said the two cases would undermine the government's efforts to fight corruption.

He suggested that a Whistleblowers Act and Human Rights Act be enacted to protect complainants.

His DAP colleague and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok also picked up on the issue of the four Chinese nationals, saying the latest action by the police was tantamount to revenge.

In a letter sent to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today, she urged his intervention in the case.

She said Abdullah should direct the police force both to carry out a full investigation and to instruct the police to stop harassing the women.

Kok added any further action could affect foreign tourist arrivals, especially from China.