Are the police looking at stalemate following Anwar Ibrahim’s refusal to have his statement recorded at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters?

police pc on anwar ibrahim 140807 01 Asked this at a press conference this afternoon, CID chief Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin (right in photo) said the police have several options but have yet to decide on a course of action.

"We have three to four options. Give us some time," he said.

However, when repeatedly asked whether arresting Anwar would be one of the options, Bakri refused to answer the question directly.

"We have to act according to the law," he said, telling reporters to instead check the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

According to the CPC, the police can go to the magistrate for a warrant to "secure the attendance" of the said individual.

The PKR de facto leader was served with an order yesterday to present himself at police headquarters for questioning, over a complaint that he had sodomised a former aide.

He had earlier volunteered to give a statement, but changed his mind after police visited his house with the order, obtained under Section 111 of the CPC, to request him to report to the police.

nude ear squat video clip 161205 sankara nair His lawyer Sankara Nair (right) said Anwar was disappointed with the lack of professionalism of the police when the opposition leader had already agreed to see them.

Mohd Bakri clarified that the order is not an arrest warrant, but that it is usually obtained as part of procedure when the police want someone to give a statement.

On alleged harassment by his officers, Mohd Bakri said it was “hearsay” and there was no proof of this.

He also denied that he had received any letter informing the police that Anwar would not show up as planned.

“I’ve been here since 6am but I haven’t received anything yet,” he said.

According to Anwar's lawyers, the letter was sent to the police at 5pm yesterday.

In an immediate response, Sankara said the manner in which the police left a copy of the order with 'someone' who was present in Anwar's house was not 'complete and orderly' according to Section 111.

The order should have been served on Anwar personally. "The police’s assumption that they have legally served the order on our client is inaccurate."

"In view of this, we hope the police will serve the order directly to our client who is now at his home in Segambut Dalam. Our client is waiting for it to be served at any time."

Sankara had also telephoned and sent a text message to the police officer concerned at 4pm conveying the above message.

Reliable intelligence'

In another development, Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohd Sabtu Osman said the police are satisfied with the move to mount roadblocks at four main areas in the city.

parliament building police blockade 140708 14 This was intended to prevent protests, particularly around Parliament House, in conjunction with anticipated debate on a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. However, the motion was rejected by the House speaker.

“Roadblocks are definitely an inconvenience to everyone but the police have a duty to ensure security, especially when it involves parliament,” said Mohd Sabtu.

“But we are pleased that the roadblocks (put up since Saturday) have worked.”

The main areas affected were Jalan Mahameru, Jalan Istana, Jalan Duta and Jalan Kuching, with some 1,600 policemen being deployed over the last three days.

police pc on anwar ibrahim 140807 mohd sabtu osman Asked if police had reliable intelligence on the protests - which did not materialise - Mohd Sabtu said: “Yes. We only act after we check our facts.”

On the Pakatan Rakyat denial that it was organising any protest, he said: “That’s their ploy to deny that they have planned anything. But we have to act based on our own reports.”

Asked when the roadblocks would be dismantled, Mohd Sabtu said it would probably be tonight, at the latest by midnight.

He also said that sufficient police personnel would be deployed around the Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka building, where Anwar is scheduled to have a debate with Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek over fuel price issues at 8pm tomorrow.

Watch 5-min video of police's press conference