Hishammuddin ‘heartbroken’ by slurs against police

(Bernama) – Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said today it was heartbreaking to hear some quarters likening the policemen deployed to ensure a smooth by-election in Manik Urai to US occupation troops in Iraq.

“This may be a joke but it is heartbreaking to hear such talk,” he said. “We do not want them to be thankful but, at least, they should be well-mannered.”

PAS central committee member Datuk Husam Musa, at a ceramah along with PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat in Chucuh Puteri on Tuesday, drew parallels between the police camps in Manik Urai and the American military camps in Iraq.

Hishammuddin warned all quarters against making wild accusations about the police who, he said, were “workingd hard to maintain peace and security” during the by-election.

“So far, the election campaign has been smooth without any undesirable incident. The police have not received any report from either party contesting the by-election on July 14,” he told reporters after a visit to the police tactical command in Laloh near here.

He was accompanied by Kelantan police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi.

Hishammuddin said that if the situation in the constituency remained under control and all quarters continued to give their cooperation, the estimated 3,000 security personnel would be reduced according to need.

He also dismissed claims that there was a conspiracy between the police and Umno Youth to tarnish the reputation of PAS Spiritual Leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat when the police investigated a report by the movement on a ceramah Nik Aziz gave on June 21.

Nik Aziz had likened Umno’s behaviour to that of the communists and the deviant teachings of Ayah Pin.

“Umno Youth has nothing to do with the police. Since I began helming this ministry, I have noticed that the police have conducted themselves professionally and with responsibility,” he said.