IGP: We have nothing to hide

Saturday May 1, 2010
IGP: We have nothing to hide
By STEVEN DANIEL
stevend@thestar.com.my

SHAH ALAM: Police want an inquest to be called as soon as possible to ascertain if there was any wrongdoing or high-handedness on the part of the policemen involved in the shooting death of 15 year-old Aminulrasyid Amzah.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said police have nothing to hide and are willing to be probed and quizzed at any time.

“We want to be transparent and if the family or anyone thinks we are biased or trying to or will cover up investigations, then calling for an inquest will be the best solution to determine the truth.

“I will contact Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and inform him about our request and I hope if an inquest is called it will put an end to all allegations and accusation against us,’’ he said after visiting the crime scene yesterday.

Musa (left) and Khalid (centre) looking at the car driven by Aminulrasyid, who was shot dead after a car chase in Section 11 on Monday.

Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar, who accompanied Musa, later briefed Musa on what happened and how it happened.

Musa said he was informed that the car driven by Aminulrasyid and the police patrol car were involved in a 6km chase.

He said furthermore the area where the chase started – in Section 11 – was where house break-ins were rampant.

He said that when the patrol car spotted the speeding car at 2am they did what they had to do – that is give chase and order them to stop.

“A motorcyclist was also injured in the process when his motorcycle was involved in an accident with the car driven by Aminulrasyid.

“Despite the accident, the chase continued. Obviously, it would have created a lot of suspicion in the minds of the officers,’’ he said, adding that the motorcyclist sustained injuries to his hands and leg.

Expressing his sadness over the incident, Musa said the public must not misconstrue his statements as protecting his men.
He said like everyone else, he too wanted to see justice done to those involved.

“I appeal to the public including politicians not to politicise the matter as it is doing more harm then good.
The tree which Aminulrasyid’s car crashed into after the shooting incident. — K.K. SHAM / The Star

“Let the law take its course,’’ he said.

To a question, Musa said police would request that the authorities review the decision to reject a police proposal to have patrol cars fitted with video cameras to record incidents during patrols.

He said police had submitted their proposal in 2006 but it was turned down due to lack of funds.

Also, a new eyewitness in the case has stepped forward and lodged a police report over the matter, RASHITHA A. HAMID reports.

The witness, believed to live close to where the shooting took place, lodged the report at the Shah Alam police headquarters yesterday.

Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar, who declined to comment on the identity of the witness, said police had recorded statements from more than 20 people concerning the shooting.

“We’ll be calling more people for questioning,” he said when contacted.

Aource: The Star