Mat Sabu trial: Police working for Malay rulers, not British, testifies historian

(Bernama) – Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim (pic) told the Sessions Court here today that police were working for the Malay rulers and not for the British when the communists attacked Bukit Kepong in 1950.

The Malaysian historian said the British had signed an agreement with the rulers of the Malay States to protect the territories, not colonise them; absolute power still rested with the Malay rulers.

“History is something that can be tested and inferences drawn from it must be precise. Historians are not allowed to make moral judgements,” he said in the trial of PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu or ‘Mat Sabu’.

Mat Sabu, 59, is accused of making disparaging remarks and demeaning the policemen who were involved in the communist attack at Bukit Kepong police station in Muar on February 23, 1950.

He allegedly made the remarks in a public speech at Pusat Asuhan Tadika Islam (Pasti) Al Fahmi, Markas Tarbiyah PAS Padang Menora, Tasek Gelugor, on Aug 21, 2011.

Mohamad Sabu also faces an alternative charge of belittling three policemen, marine constable Abu Bakar Daud, constable Jaafar Hassan and constable Yusoff Rono and their families, at the same place and date.

The charge under Section 500 of the Penal Code carries a two-year jail term or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi adjourned the trial to April 27 and extended the accused’s bail.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Razali Che Ani and Yusaini Amir Abdul Karim appeared for the prosecution while counsel Mohamed Hanipa Maidin represented the accused.