Kit Siang: Ex-IGP treating PM's word as gold

Three former top cop’s support for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s claim that Bersih 3.0 was a coup d'état attempt has been met by ridicule from DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang.

Commenting on Berita Harian’s front-page report today, Lim said the trio - particularly Haniff Omar - had taken the premier’s word as facts. The two others are Rahim Noor and Musa Hassan.

In a press release today, Lim pointed out that by Haniff’s own admission, these were mere claims without the any attempts by the trio to provide evidence.

“There has to be a basis because the prime minister cannot simply make claims. It could happen and there are always people bidding their chance to do it for their own interest,” Haniff was quoted as saying.

Lim described this as the “height of ridiculousness” and that this was the first time in Malaysian history that the prime minister’s word are taken as proof and sufficient basis of criminal action.

“This is not only a ludicrous and dangerous attempt to make the prime minister’s words the law of the land, but also to  constitute the evidence as well -  regardless of however wild, ridiculous or baseless the claim or allegation,” he said.

Level playing field

Lim surmised that the three IGPs attack on the rally organisers - Bersih 2.0 - was part of the process to demonise the movement, which by extension is an attempt to gloss over its true purpose of holding the rally.

He said the continued attack on Bersih also shows that Malaysia was still a long way from achieving a level playing field to hold free and fair elections, since the movement’s demands are being continuously ignored.

He said the lopsided mainstream media coverage had not granted Bersih the right to reply such allegations.

“The irresponsible antics by the Prime Minister and the three IGPs are the latest and most  vivid examples why the Eight Demands of Bersih 2.0 remain relevant, pertinent and unfulfilled

“This is why Bersih 2.0 and all justice-and-freedom loving Malaysians must continue to demand a level playing  field for the holding of the 13th general elections,” he said.