Opposition bloc: Police must not bow to political pressure in LTTE arrests
The opposition bloc has expressed regret over DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's move which is seen as interfering in police affairs in dealing with the arrest of DAP lawmakers.
In a press conference at the Parliament lobby today, the opposition bloc comprising BN, PAS and GPS lawmakers clad in white shirts urged the police not to bow to political pressure...
The opposition bloc has expressed regret over DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's move which is seen as interfering in police affairs in dealing with the arrest of DAP lawmakers.
In a press conference at the Parliament lobby today, the opposition bloc comprising BN, PAS and GPS lawmakers clad in white shirts urged the police not to bow to political pressure.
"Congratulations to the police over the arrest of those involved in the terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), including DAP state assemblyperson and exco member," said opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob (photo).
"We regret that Lim said that he obtained an assurance from the police that there would be no more arrest.
"This is political interference and intimidation to the police as this involved a minister, whom I see as attempting to discuss with the police," he said.
"We hope the police would not bow to political pressure. The probe and arrests must be continued, including against those who hold high posts in the government," he said.
Ismail Sabri also called upon the attorney-general Tommy Thomas, whom he claimed had been biased in several issues, to act accordingly.
"We hope the attorney-general will make a fair decision when he receives the investigation paper (on this case)," he said.
Ismail Sabri, who is also the Bera MP, said the arrest has nothing to do with race, religion or politics.
Meanwhile, MIC deputy president S Saravanan, who appeared at the press conference, said action should be taken against those who are guilty.
"Those who are guilty are guilty, those who are not guilty should not be victimised," said Saravanan.
He said MIC president SA Vigneswaran will issue a statement on this matter.
Yesterday, police detained seven individuals, including DAP's Gadek assemblyperson G Saminathan and Seremban Jaya assemblyperson P Gunasekara, over alleged links to LTTE.
Ismail Sabri said LTTE was a terrorist group and cannot be likened to Palestinians and Rohingya.
"We regret that some tried to link LTTE with Palestinians and Rohingya. We are seeing ethnic cleansing in Myanmar.
"In Palestine, they are fighting for their rights because they have been chased away by the Zionist regime in Israel," he said.
Meanwhile, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man hoped no party would protect the terrorist group and the government would not compromise in their efforts to fight terrorism.
"Malaysia should be the role model of the world and hopes that such efforts will continue," he said, urging the authority not to allow Malaysia to end up as a base for LTTE.
Meanwhile, former Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he believed that Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) and its principal assistant director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay acted professionally in the LTTE case.
"I am confident that there was a basis for the police arrest," he told media at Parliament lobby.
"It is irresponsible for DAP to say that there was no wrongdoing. They should respect the agency and the investigation process.
"Let the probe to take its course so we know the truth," he said.
