Kit Siang : Hishammudin the "lousiest" home minister in history

By Clara Chooi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — DAP's Lim Kit Siang today labelled Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein the "lousiest" Home Minister in history for claiming ignorance when the police Special Branch unit had alleged of communist and terrorist elements in Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

The Ipoh Timor MP asked Hishammuddin how he could have been kept out of the loop of such information when the unit comes under the direct purview of his ministry.

"It is the most cowardly, craven and irresponsible response from Hishammuddin... Is Hishammuddin admitting he is the lousiest Home Minister in the nation's 54-year history?" Lim (picture) said in a statement here.

Hishammuddin was quoted in the media yesterday as saying that he was unsure if Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terrorists and former communists have infiltrated PR parties PAS and DAP as claimed Special Branch chief assistant director of the E2(M) national social extremist threat division Mohd Sofian Md Makinuddin on Thursday.

"I’ve not received any information so far, so I cannot say if it’s true and that’s all I can say for now.
"Because information below the radar is very sensitive and may come from international agencies, which we cannot share with the public until it is verified," he was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

Lim asked if the minister would have issued a similar response and claim ignorance if Mohd Sofian had made similar allegations against Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties like UMNO, MCA or MIC.
"Of course not!" the veteran politician said.

He reminded that apart from claiming of JI and communist elements in PR, Mohd Sofian had also told the media on Thursday that he has given some 300 talks exposing alleged security risks presented by PR parties.

"Imagine a Home Minister who does not know what his top Special  Branch officer had been doing in public talks for some two years?" Lim pointed out.

He added, however, it was highly unlikely that Mohd Sofian had acted independently when going public with his claims for this would then mean that the latter had committed a breach of civil discipline.

Lim said Mohd Sofian should be sacked from the Special Branch if he had not obtained clearance from his superiors in the government before issuing such press statements like "an unguided missile".

PR lawmakers have since denied Mohd Sofian's claim, saying the allegation was likely aimed at negating BN's chances in the coming polls.