Press Statement by Charles Santiago in Klang on Monday, 28^th December 2009:

Selangor CPO's ‘Hian Wah-Intimidating the Police’ theory borders on ridiculousness

As the year ends, this is what I would regard as the most preposterous statement a police officer could make - "I wish to stress that the honourable member should not try to intimidate us by directing us to cease the investigation of Guan Eng."

Selangor's police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said this in relation to Selangor State Executive Councillor and Seri Kembangan state assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah's statement in the media directing the police to cease their investigation of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as it seemed like an attempt to intimidate the police.

Khalid's defensiveness could stem from the fact that he does not want the public to know that the police force is being used by UMNO to tarnish the image of the Pakatan Rakyat-led government in Selangor.

Whatever the reason could be, Khalid must be told that his accusation against Hian Wah is ridiculous. UMNO spin doctors, including the police, are clearly in deficit of their creative thinking.

And just so that Khalid knows, Malaysians are aware of the political high drama by the ruling elite to regain control of Selangor.

Old habits die hard. We all know that the police force takes orders from the ruling elite. But going after Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng for saying Selangor State Exco’s political aide Teoh Beng Hock was murdered is taking it too far.

Lim Guan Eng was only referring to Thai Pathologist Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand’s report that Teoh's death was 80% homicide. Dr Pornthip's expert observation was echoed by most Malaysians.

The theory that Teoh committed suicide simply did not hold water and specifically because he was going to get married the next day after the MACC interrogation. A letter, written on MACC stationery, hinting there was more to Teoh's death than that which meets the eye further alluded to the fact that Teoh did not plunge to his death.

But the current web of tales spun around Guan Eng's alleged statement and police claims of intimidation is the Barisan Nasional government’s new attempt to divert the public’s attention from the two missing F5-E fighter jet engines, racist BTN courses, unfinished Port Klang Free Zone financial fiasco and also infighting between UMNO and Gerakan.

Najib, is once again right in the center of the muck, as the jet engines amounting to RM100 million went missing in 2007 when he was the Defence Minister. It is also learnt that a police report was lodged one year ago and submitted to the Attorney General's chamber about six months ago.

So, the lingering questions zero in on why no action was taken till now? Did Najib intervene in the investigation by the police? Were there orders to delay or maybe close the investigation papers?

Instead of focusing on this probe which is a matter of national interest, the police are harping on Guan Eng. Therefore, clearly the sedition investigation is politically motivated.

Najib's government is playing dirty to throw out Pakatan Rakyat from power. His stooges are gunning for opposition politicians.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is facing a sex trial, Tian Chua was charged for ‘biting’ the police, some Parti Keadilan Rakyat's youth leaders were arrested by police for distributing flyers and are expected to be charged under Sedition Act and the DAP Taiping lawmaker Nga Kor Ming was questioned by police over the mosque allocation remark.

Najib must know, by now, that Malaysians are not a fan of authoritarianism and dictatorship. The people want real change which ensures human rights, freedom of expression and an accountable and clean government.

Therefore, Najib must drop his maneuvering tactics and the police force must stop its intemperate allegations, laced with wild accusations against opposition representatives. I also call upon the police to drop all investigations against Guan Eng and Hian Wah and instead make concerted efforts to prevent the rising crime rate in the country.

But again, no one doubts the capacity of Najib, UMNO or the police force to surprise.

* Charles Santiago; Selangor DAP Vice Chairman & MP for Klang