|
Penang DAP accepts Penang CPO's challenge to conduct professional
joint survey on the State police's performance
Media Statement
by Chow Kon Yeow
(Petaling Jaya,
Thursday):
The Penang DAP today accept Penang police chief Deputy Commissioner
Datuk Othman Talib's challenge to the DAP to conduct a professional joint
survey on the State police performance (Malay Mail, 31.7.2003).
We welcome Datuk Othman Talib's willingness to conduct a professional survey
and to accept whatever outcome. Similarly, the Penang DAP would also accept
and respect the outcome of the joint survey as although holding differing
views, both sides aspire to see a safe environment and an effective police
force in the State.
We will be responding officially to the State police chief and
we propose the setting up of a Penang police- DAP joint committee to work
out details on how to conduct the professional joint survey.
For the first working meeting, the Penang DAP would be sending an 8-person
delegation representing the various parliamentary divisions. The DAP
delegation would comprise Bagan MP Lim Hock Seng, Bukit Mertajam MP Chong
Eng, Nibong Tebal division chairman Teoh Siang Hooi, Tanjong vice-chairman
Gooi Seong Kin, Jelutong division chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang, Bukit
Bendera division chairman The Yee Chiu, Bayan Baru division secretary Tan
Han Wooi and myself.
However, the Penang DAP is still unhappy that Datuk Othman Talib has refused
to retract his statement which described a recent opinion poll conducted by
the Penang DAP, which showed 87 per cent of the 212 respondents
unhappy with the State police, as "utter rubbish".
Although 212 respondents took part in the 2-week opinion poll, the figures
are fairly representative and randomly selected from the various age-group,
gender, occupational background and geographical locations in the State.
Datuk Othman Talib has no right to dismiss the views of 212 Penangites, who
are concerned about public safety and security, as "utter rubbish".
The CPO should know, in a democracy, even a single voice from the people
must be taken seriously by the authorities.
Maybe Datuk Othman Talib is still inflicted by the colonial mentality that
as a police chief, he is not servant by lord over the ordinary citizens.
The ball is at the CPO's court now, we look forward to him setting the
dateand time for the first joint working meeting to discuss how to run the
professional joint survey.
(31/7/2003)
* Chow Kon Yeow, DAP Penang chairman and Member of
Parliament for Tanjong
|
http://dapmalaysia.org