Minister: Kok not a threat to public order

Excerpt from The Star Online - Saturday September 20, 2008

Minister: Kok not a threat to public order

PUTRAJAYA: Police released Seputeh MP Teresa Kok from the Internal Security Act (ISA) detention as they were satisfied she was not a threat to public order.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said her release from detention was not because police could not build up a case against her but because they were satisfied that she did not threaten national security.

"That was the principle behind her arrest and I believe that is also the reason why police have decided to release Kok," he told reporters yesterday after presenting Hari Raya goodies to 289 ministry staff.

Kok, 44, who is also Kinrara assemblyman was released at 1pm yesterday after being detained for one week. Last Friday, Kok, Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng were arrested under the ISA.

Comments:-

In the first place, ISA should not be used on MP without prior investigation on the report available in hand as whether or not it is a libel & malicious statement or truthful evidence that warrants to take action. Now it shows the Police is on "fishing expedition" to scare those who want to change the government.

I am of the opinion that as a rule of law, the Police are under the protocol to report or seek consultation with the Home Minister before detaining or releasing the detainee. Such remarks by Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid is a blatant denial of his responsibility or control over the decision making of the Police. The Police Chief is not having aboslute or independent power who can perform his duty the way he likes. Now if the government is sued for wrongful detention under ISA and if it is found quilty as charged, then who will pay for the losses? From the tax payers' monies as a result of the professional negligence of the Police? It is not as simple as that. Unless the PM has lost control of the Police Dept, there is no reason that prior consultation is not required.

The denial of responsibility of the Home Minister shows he is not committed to perform his work well. So now it is the Police who is to be blamed for all the arrests under ISA??? I do not think so. The BN govt have to answer it  as why ISA is used and not the other laws. The People are waiting for the answers from the PM and not from his Home Minister who left the task all to the Police. Then what is Home Minister paid for??? We want to know all the duties and responsibilities of a Home Minister to check whether or not he is fully responsible. He can talk as he likes but his job description will corner him to the wall. Let the journalists pose sharp questions to him so that he cannot deviate from it.