The police has been urged to conduct an immediate investigation into the disclosure of former Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Abu Bakar Jamal who claimed he received letters and e-mails inciting the military to topple the government three years ago.

DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock who made the call today said Abu Bakar's allegations raised some questions which required answers.

"Abu Bakar has made very serious allegations which not only require him to immediately lodge a police report, the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Norian Mai must also conduct full investigations into the disclosure," Kerk said in a statement.

In the interview with Berita Harian published yesterday, the former naval commander claimed that he and other military leaders had received letters and e-mails from opposition parties calling on the armed forces to topple the government.

In the interview, Abu Bakar, when asked on the names of the senders of such letters, said there were no names stated but claimed they were from the "reformasi" group.

Abu Bakar, who retired three weeks ago after serving in the RMN for 28 years, also said that certain groups were keen to topple the government on Oct 31, 1999 but the armed forces refused to be involved.

However, Keadilan, which is closely linked to the reformasi activists, vehemently denied the allegation, adding that the party upholds democratic principles and rejects the use of any form of violence in its political struggles.

Serious attempt

Kerk, who is also Kota Melaka member of parliament, noted that from the interview, Abu Bakar gave the impression that he viewed the anonymous letters and e-mails as a serious attempt to try to incite the military to topple the government

"Hence, he must explain why as the top naval officer who was in charge of the nation's security, he did not lodge a report with the police so as to enable the police to immediately track down the culprits?" he asked.

The DAP leader also responded to Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak's revelation that while he was aware of such an attempt, he did not receive any official report from the military because the matter was not so serious.

"If what Najib said is true, why did Abu Bakar, in the interview with Berita Harian, did not make it clear that the matter was not viewed as serious enough for him to make an official report to the government?" Kerk asked.

"Unless Abu Bakar sincerely believed then that the anonymous letters and e-mails received were not a serious matter, as a responsible officer, he should have then immediately lodge a police report and allow the police to carry out swift and thorough investigations," he added.

Kerk however stressed that since the former navy chief has publicly disclosed the matter, he must now be prepared to make a report and cooperate with the police.

Meanwhile, Keadilan Youth deputy chief Muhammad Zahid Md Arip alleged in a separate press statement today that Abu Bakar was a 'liar'.

"Why did Abu Bakar wait until he retires to expose the matter? Why did he not expose it and make a police report as soon as he received the e-mails?" he challenged.

Zahid also urged the retired navy chief not to seek 'cheap publicity' and allow himself to be manipulated by Umno and Barisan Nasional.