A hook by Minister Hishammuddin; an uppercut by YB KJ and a vodka triple shot by the Federal Court!
ART HARUN
I just love my country. Its people. Its leaders. And its Courts.
In one morning, I could shed some tears and I could laugh out loud. Then I could be drowned in a state of disbelief. Jaw-dropping kind of disbelief.
I read three pieces of news this morning.
Firstly, Minister Hishammuddin was quoted by the Malay Mail imploring Malaysians, particularly “political party leaders” to appreciate the efforts by the “enforcement agencies, especially the police.”
Minister Hishammuddin, an UMNO vice-President, was quoted as saying:
“The effort to maintain peace and order in the country continues today by the present security and law enforcement agencies including the police. But the police are often criticised and condemned by society and one was even bitten by a ‘wakil rakyat’ (elected representative).
If these attacks against the police continue, how can be (sic) teach about nationhood to the younger generation?”
I agree with him. Credit must be given to the police as and when it is due.
But Minister Hishammuddin should understand that various sections of the society – and this is not limited to political party leaders only – would criticise the police when the police have overstepped their boundary by acting recklessly; or when the police have failed to carry out their duty properly; or when they perpetuate acts of crimes or where they have acted without common decency.
Not all criticisms are justified and I admit that. And some of them are of course politically driven. But surely the police should take proper criticisms on their chin, look at themselves and strive to be better. That is the only hope that the people have.
The police must learn to understand that all the powers that they wield come with responsibilities. The powers are there for a purpose. And when those responsibilities and purpose are not met, or perceived not to be met, there will be critics.
The critics which the police get however do not negate from all the efforts, the hard work and the commitment, past or present, shown by the police in discharging their duties. I am sure the people appreciate those things.
Just after reading the above news, I stumbled on another piece of news related to the police. Yang Berhormat Khairy Jamaluddin, the UMNO Youth President, lambasted the police for not taking any action to arrest Raja Petra Kamarudin, reports the Malaysian Insider.
He apparently said :-
“Where is the action from the police? Datuk Seri Najib Razak has said the police will be responsible for apprehending Raja Petra. The Inspector-General of Police has said he will get information on Raja Petra’s location, but RPK is going around in public. “Yesterday, RPK was not in hiding; he had attended a Friends of Pakatan Rakyat event in London,”
He continued :-
“Even if they cannot arrest him there, the relationship (between the Malaysian police) and Scotland Yard is there, through the extradition agreement. The British police can arrest RPK and bring him back to Malaysia.
“Are they (the police) unaware, or choose not to know RPK’s movements and location? You have to ask the right questions.
“I want to help the police here.”
I really hope Minister Hishammuddin would not take YB Khairy’s criticism wrongly. He does have a point to make.
On my part, quite frankly, I do not have a clue why some parliamentarians, leaders and people in authority seem to be obsessed with RPK, his whereabouts, who he is meeting and who is “sponsoring” him. I mean, these topics are even discussed with a certain level of seriousness – which is quite rare, actually – in the Parliament!
On current count, RPK has apparently been sponsored by Kalimullah Hassan; Anwar Ibrahim, Zaid Ibrahim, PKR and Pakatan Rakyat. And I am sure some people think the Zionist and some Jewish movements are also “sponsoring” him.
Isn’t there other better and more beneficial things to discuss then who is sponsoring RPK?
