Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai came under fire in Parliament today for making a 'politically motivated' statement concerning street demonstrations.

Keadilan member of parliament for Tanah Merah, Saupi Daud, criticised the IGP for arguing that the motive behind street demonstrations organised by the opposition and other quarters was to challenge the government.

Saupi referred to an Utusan Malaysia report which quoted the nation's top police officer as saying "the elements of violence and acts of challenging the law are the prime characteristics of this group (demonstrators), who do not care for the well-being of the people".

The Monday's report further stated that Norian, in his speech during the recent 194th Police Day Celebrations, had claimed these events have caused people to fear for their personal safety, as well as that of their family and property.

The IGP had also explained that street demonstrations were different from robbery and theft as the latter is not a threat to national security, added Saupi.

"This statement is politically motivated and should not have been made, and it is impossible that people are more afraid of street demonstrations than robbery or theft," he said.

He added that the public is aware of the fact that street demonstrations are part of the reformasi movement and the ones who fear this are not the public but rather Umno and Barisan Nasional members.

Double standards

In a related matter, Saupi said the people are disappointed with the police for taking action against Keadilan Youth chief, Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, who was arrested twice prior to Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and Hari Raya Aidil Adha.

He also criticised the police for detaining Ezam at the KLIA Airport after the latter had returned from Mecca and was barred from meeting his family.

"Ezam has said many times in his ceramahs that he is willing to be present in court or at police stations as long as he was informed about it. The police has no compassion, which is a trait found in the Malay custom," said Saupi.

Ezam is currently out on police bail and faces sedition charges for allegedly threatening to topple the government.

"You can also find the police practicing double standards as in the case of TV newscaster Sharma Shukla and the murder suspect in Seremban who was set free on bail," he added.

Even Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Rais Yatim expressed surprise over the police's attitude concerning the Seremban murder case, said Saupi.

"If Rais, who is a minister and one who knows the law can express such surprise, how about us, who are ignorant of the law?"

According to Saupi, all these shortcomings have led the public to lose confidence in the force and now the department must try to salvage and restore its reputation.

Petaling Jaya Selatan clashes

On the recent clashes in Petaling Jaya Selatan, Saupi raised the question as to why the violence had not subsided.

"Why are there clashes still happening although 1,000 policemen have been deployed at the site?"

"Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had even proposed a curfew whereas MIC president Samy Vellu requested for the police to be maintained at all posts to prevent the situation from worsening," he added.

However, Saupi expressed his gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police for not linking the 337 people arrested over the clashes to any political parties and organisations.

He agreed that the clashes were caused by socio-economic problems and not because of the reformasi movement, Ezam's detention or the people's wish for street demonstrations.

Saupi urged the police leadership to restore confidence in the force immediately and to look into corruption and cases of abuse of power of government officials seriously.