Writer Mohammad Rafi Awg Kecil, who has just published a book that alleges corrupt practice by Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, found himself at the centre of a drama even before it hit the stores in haste on Monday.

Last Sunday, the Shah Alam police allegedly demanded that he hand over all 5,000 copies of the book, Khir Toyo: Di Antara Amanah dan Khianat (Khir Toyo: Between Trust and Betrayal).

The next day, certain politicians - whom Mohammad Rafi believes to be linked to Mohd Khir - approached him "offering hundreds of thousands of ringgit" to buy up all the printed copies.

The printer also claimed to have received visits from police personnel at noon on Sunday, telling a worker to hand over the copies.

On being informed, Mohammad Rafi's consultant Mohd Sayuti Omar pre-empted possible police action by rushing to the printer at 3pm to retrieve the copies, which were distributed to book vendors on Monday morning. The 127-page book is being sold at RM12 around the Klang Valley.

Mohammad Rafi, a retired police personnel, told malaysiakini yesterday that he suspects the strong reaction is due to "new information" in the book, which is his first attempt at political writing.

"I've written at length about Mohd Khir's properties in Janda Baik and the Templer Forest area. The issue is very new and could perhaps add to the pressure that he is already facing," he said, in reference to widespread coverage of environmental damage in Selangor.

"I am not levelling accusations. I have merely stated facts. It is up to the people to decide whether he is still a credible leader."

Khir Toyo had previously denied all alegations of corruption made against him.

When contacted yesterday, Selangor CID chief Hadi Ho Abdullah said he was on leave, while Selangor police chief Yahya Udin said he is attending a course. As such, they were unable to comment immediately.

'Not a crime'

Elaborating on his predicament, Mohammad Rafi (left) said a police officer phoned him on Sunday night after failing to get the books from the printer in Section 16, Shah Alam.

"He told me to report to the Shah Alam police headquarters and to bring the books. I refused, stating that I had committed no crime. I also told them that the books were still embargoed," he said.

"I asked why I was being investigated and under what law. They didn't answer but insisted that I go to the station. A few other officers called later that night to make the same demands, but I refused to comply."

Apart from police attention, Mohammad Rafi claimed that he has been approached by a few politicians who said they were representing Mohd Khir.

"They came to see me and during our conversation, offered hundreds of thousands of ringgit to persuade me not to release the book. Obviously they do not want the copies to reach the people.

"It was indeed very tempting, but I declined. I told them I didn't write the book to sell my soul. I wrote the book to be with the people. Although all this is new to me, it does not scare me. If at all, it motivates me... this will not be my last book!"

Methods questioned

Mohd Sayuti, who was present at the interview, questioned the police's attempt to seize the books.

"I had a shock when the printer's employee called me on Sunday afternoon to say that the police were there, asking about the book. I told the worker not to release the copies and he passed the phone to an officer who identified himself as ASP Anuar," he said.

"He said that he needed a copy of the book to conduct research. Initially I refused his request, but then relented.

"But based on my past experience with the police, I knew I had to act fast. So I contacted Mohammad Rafi and we decided to get the books out. Sure enough, just 15 minutes after we left the printer's with the books, we were told the police had arrived."

He too claimed to have been harassed by several police officers demanding his presence at the police headquarters, which he refused to heed.

"Why should I go to them? I have done nothing wrong. The book is not banned. I told them that, if they want to talk to me, they have to come to my house because I have other things to do.

"The whole episode is highly unusual because, in the past, the authorities would only act after a publication is distributed. If they are satisfied that the contents are harmful, they would advise that this be banned. But in this case, the copies were still at the printer's... it appears to us that the police are acting to protect political interests."

Sayuti himself is a writer with more than 50 books, mainly on politics, to his name. These include Agenda 1996 - Anwar Lawan Mahathir and Undurkah Mahathir Dilemma Dollah Badawi.

When contacted, a representative of the printer, who declined to be named, confirmed that police personnel came twice to the premises last Sunday.

"The first time, one of the four officers told my worker that he wanted to do research and asked for a few copies of the book. We refused until Sayuti gave permission. They took 12 copies and went off."

He said seven police personnel returned at about 5pm to ask for all the copies to be surrendered.

"We told them that the writer's representative had come by to take all the copies and that there was none left. They refused to believe us and started searching. They ended up ransacking the whole place including the owner's office."

He also questioned the legality of the search as the police did not come with a court order or a warrant from the Home Ministry.