KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — PKR’s N. Surendran said today that party leaders would discuss if he should accept an invitation to join a police “shootout” operation after the law enforcers insisted on indemnity against his possible harm or death.
The PKR vice-president said that Datuk Mazlan Mansor, deputy federal CID director, had informed him in a meeting today that full indemnity from lawsuits was required before he could join an operation against suspected criminals.
“At no point am I saying that I must be unhurt,” Surendran told reporters after the meeting at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters here today.
“There’s a risk and I have to take it... But they’re saying that they must not be held responsible for whatever happens. So that’s different,” added the Padang Serai MP.
Surendran said that according to the police, he would be outfitted with a Level III-A bulletproof vest that can stop .38 and .99 bullets, which is the standard kit for police on typical operations, but not bullets from M16 rifles.
“I will be a participant, sandwiched with other police officers carrying out the operation,” said the federal lawmaker.
He also said that among the terms of his participation was that he would travel in a police vehicle, and that he would be on standby throughout the day for any operation.
When asked what he hoped to achieve from joining a police operation, Surendran said that he had accepted Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s invitation in “good faith”.
“There was no mention from them that my presence would hamper police operations. If that is so, I would certainly immediately turn it down,” said Surendran.
“The invitation was made by the IGP. It was in response to my strong criticism of the home minister’s ‘shoot first’ policy...in good faith, I’ve accepted this participation. As far as I’m concerned, it’ll have to happen,” he added.
Surendran said that he did not fear for his safety, but for the lives of ordinary people “if the police can shoot anybody they like”.
But Surendran’s lawyer R. Sivarasa, who is also a PKR political bureau member, cautioned him against joining the police operation in light of the indemnity demands.
“It’s not acceptable. The police cannot make him sign this. It’s an act in bad faith,” said Sivarasa at the same press conference.
Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said separately today that Putrajaya must take full responsibility for any harm that might befall Surendran in a shootout.
“I’m of the view that the IGP reacted foolishly in extending this somewhat ridiculous invitation to Surendran when pinned down under pressure over criticisms over his men’s handling of shootings of late,” said Gobind in a statement.
“But that does not mean that the Attorney-General, who is the nation’s top legal officer and advisor to the federal cabinet, should remain silent, especially where the matter may involve an illegality which could result in serious harm being brought upon an ordinary citizen and a Member of Parliament,” added the head of DAP’s national legal bureau.
The lawyer urged the A-G to clarify if standard operating procedures on police shootouts allowed the participation of civilians.
“It is also alarming to see the IGP insist that Surendran sign letters of indemnity so as to absolve others of liability in the event harm does come to Surendran during the shootout. The A-G must comment on the legality of this as well,” said Gobind.
Recently, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly advocated a “shoot first” policy for the police when dealing with suspected gang members in the wake of a violent crime spree that has resulted in Malays purportedly making up the majority of the victims.
“I think the best way is that we no longer compromise with them. There is no need to give them any more warning. If (we) get the evidence, (we) shoot first,” he was quoted as saying by news portal Malaysiakini based on a recording from a security forum in Malacca.
Ahmad Zahid, however, later defended his controversial remarks and accused his critics of failing to consider the police’s and crime victims’ human rights.
