Former top cops want action against 'coup attempt'

Three former IGPs (inspector-general of police) have called on the police to act against an alleged coup attempt during the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28.

In a front-page report by Berita Harian today, former top cops Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor, Musa Hassan and Hanif Omar are quoted as lending credence to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's claim that the rally was intended to occupy Dataran Merdeka and ultimately, to topple the government.

"There has to be a basis because the prime minister cannot simply make claims. It could happen and there are always people bidding their chance to do it for their own interest," Hanif (right) was quoted as saying.

According to the report, Rahim said while Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan may not be aware of the threat the rally posed, the police knew better because of they has experience in intelligence gathering.

He added in that based on the circumstances of the rally, a coup attempt was a real possibility.

"Everyone has a different agenda in the rally but when they (protesters) are charged up, and coupled with fiery speeches, the younger groups will be on fire. This is mob psychology," he was quoted as saying.

Trend overseas

Musa told the daily that occupation of a site in an attempt to shake the government has become a trend overseas and needed to be curbed.

"Chants against the government and the rioting that happened were evidence of this. If a coup had happened it would create chaos that could lead to a state of emergency," he was quoted as saying.

Similarly, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said on his blog that PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was in cahoots with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in an attempt to topple the government through street demonstrations.

"Many of us think that violent demonstrations overseas will not happen here but it has been proven otherwise and it was perpetrated by Anwar from the beginning.

"Now he is in cahoots with Nik Aziz as both of them see that there is more power to be gained if they grab power through unconstitutional means," he said.