‘Probe Taib first,’

CORRUPT BARISAN NASIONAL - KUCHING: Movement For Change Sarawak (MoCS) leader  Francis Siah is willing to meet with the local police provided they record Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s statement first.

Responding to a comment by Sarawak Commissioner of Police Mohmad Salleh that they have started investigating MoCS, Siah said: “Is there one law to deal with the powerful like Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak and another for an ordinary citizen like me?

“I lodged a police report against Taib first (on March 13) for corruption, money laundering and abuse of power.

“Surely, there are more reasons to investigate the Chief Minister than to probe me.

“Call Taib Mahmud in to the police station first and then I will also go in to have my statement recorded,” he said.

Urging the police not to practice ‘double standards’ in their enforcement of the law, Siah said he had ‘politely’ conveyed his stand to the police officer who called him last Friday following reports lodged by the Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth wing, to call up Taib first.

PBB is led by Taib.

Siah was informed that he was being investigated under the Section 4 of the Sedition Act. He reiterated that part of MoCS agenda for Sarawak was to inculcate a new political culture for the state.

“But it is apparent now that a new work culture for an important law enforcement agency such as the police department has to be included in our agenda.

“I urge the police not to be subservient to political masters. Even the king is not above the law,” he said.

Security threat

Siah said he was informed a long time ago that whenever a new Sarawak police commissioner had to be appointed, Bukit Aman would have to send the name to be vetted by the CM first.

“It would be disgustingly unprofessional if such a thing is still being practised today. It only gives PDRM a bad name,” he said.

Pointing out that MoCS is a responsible citizens’ rights movement, Siah assured the police that it will continue to operate within the law.

“However, it is the duty of the police to not only ensure that citizens abide by the law but that the laws of the land are also being enforced in a just and fair manner,” he said.

On the police reports lodged by PBB implying that he was a security threat, Siah responded, “I’m a-nobody. How can a-nobody be a security threat?”

“Karim Hamzah (CM’s chief political secretary) has described me as a “loner with no following”.

“Then Wan Hamzah Paie (PBB Youth Kuching Zone spokesperson) claimed that I was planning a demonstration with 200,000 supporters.

“I am confused. Now, is police acting on just the imagination of some PBB people?

“That is the nagging question,” he said.