Voters: Cops harrassed us over ink reports
(The Star) – The police officers repeatedly asked if anyone had ordered them to lodge the complaints, the two men told a press conference called by PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin in Gombak here yesterday.
Several people have claimed that the police intimidated and harrassed them when they lodged reports over the indelible ink used during the general election.
Two voters, who had lodged reports at separate police stations on Monday over the alleged ineffectiveness of the ink, claimed that they were repeatedly queried and close-up photos of their faces were taken.
Abd Razak Mohamad, 58, and Saharudin Abu Bakar, 46, claimed that they were among 14 people who had lodged police reports on that day.
The police officers repeatedly asked if anyone had ordered them to lodge the complaints, the two men told a press conference called by PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin in Gombak here yesterday.
Abd Razak, who was also questioned by a Special Branch officer at the Ulu Klang district police headquarters, said he was confused but knew that this should not be the way for taking a police report.
“The officer kept saying that it was normal to take photos of any complainants,” said Abd Razak.
Saharudin, who had lodged his report at the Gombak district police headquarters, said that the investigating officer had asked about his background.
Shamsul Iskandar said that he wants the Home Minister and the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to explain whether this was the correct procedure when accepting a police report.
Gombak district police chief Asst Comm Abdul Rahim Abdullah said that he will verify the claims first with his staff before commenting further on the matter.
He added, however, that it was normal for the police officers to take down all the statements of those who lodged complaints.
In Ipoh, an MP and two Perak assemblymen, all three of which were from PKR, had lodged reports over the same matter at the Ipoh district police station yesterday.
The three were Gopeng MP Dr Lee Boon Chye and assemblymen Chang Lih Kang (Teja) and Tan Kar Hing (Simpang Pulai).
Dr Lee said that the indelible ink, which was supposed to last for at least five days, remained on his finger for only about 48 hours.
“I just used normal soap to wash my hands (on polling day, May 5) and the ink totally faded by the next day,” he claimed.
