Police do not protect criminals. They shoot 'em

Police Pass Azmin Share Probe Documents To MACC

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is to continue with the investigation into the alleged ownership of RM2 million worth of shares by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Azmin Ali and his wife, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said Wednesday.

He said copies of the original documents and statements connected with the case had been handed to the MACC by the police.

"An investigation was conducted previously by the MACC. As such, the records, documents and statements given to us were handed back to the MACC yesterday for them to continue the probe," he told reporters at the police Deepavali open house, here.

Anuar Shaari, a former secretary to PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, yesterday lodged a police report on the alleged ownership of shares by Azmin and his wife.

Asked to comment on claims that the police had used excessive force in a recent shooting in Klang where five suspected robbers were shot dead, Musa said the police also had the fundamental right to self-defence.

He said those who questioned police action should consider whether they wanted to support those who upheld the law or backed criminals.

"The duty of the police is to protect the people. We do not protect criminals," he said.

He said the police did not act indiscriminately but considered public order and shot criminals as the last resort.

"If they (criminals) become aggressive, we are forced to act. They should surrender if they do not want to die. We do not want our personnel to be shot first," he said.

Meanwhile, Musa appealed for assistance from anyone who had information on the position of private investigator P. Balasubramaniam.

The authorities, including the Immigration Department, constantly monitored the movement of individuals they were looking for at every entry-exit point of the country, he said when asked to comment on a news portal report that Balasubramaniam was back in the country after having "disappeared" since July last year.

Balasubramaniam and his family reportedly went abroad for fear of their safety after he had made a statutory declaration in relation to the murder of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The police also want to record a statement from the private investigator over a break-in at his house in Taman Pelangi, Rawang, last year.

-- BERNAMA