Lim Kit Siang

Question of efficiency, independence and professionalism of AGC and Police haunting Malaysia’s international image in a bigger way than any time in the past

Two days after the Sri Carcosa sex tape caper on Monday, 21st March 2011, I had warned that police efficiency, independence and professionalism were again the major casualties of the latest criminal attempt to target and character-assassinate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

My warning of March 23 has proven true. More than three months after my warning, the questions of the efficiency, independence and professionalism of the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Police have bulked even larger to haunt Malaysia’s international image in a bigger way than at any time in the past in the nation’s history.

The farce this morning in the magistrate’s court where the “Datuk T” trio were charged for the Sri Carcosa sex tape screening has only served to further lower public confidence and esteem in the efficiency, independence and professionalism of the Attorney-General and the Police.

The way the three criminals preened themselves as if they are national heroes for the crimes they have committed raised many questions – including why the AGC and Police have to take more than three months to charge the trio in court.

Coupled with the double standards of the Home Minister, AGC and the Police in recent cases – like the seditious and treasonous headline and bogey of Utusan Malaysia’s “DAP Christian Malaysia” since last month and the incendiary, inflammatory and seditious incitement of Perkasa President Ibrahim Ali threatening bloodshed and another May 13 to counter the peaceful 9th July Bersih 2.0 rally for free and fair elections, national and international confidence in the Home Minister, Attorney-General and the Police are at an all-time low. Even worse than at any time under the premiership of Tun Dr. Mahathir!

Is this what the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak meant by his 1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme – GTP?

Is this the way Najib is trying to restore public and international confidence in the efficiency, integrity and professionalism of key national institutions which had suffered such severe battering in the 22 years of Mahathir rule – and had no chance to recover in the five years of Abdullah premiership?

Is it any wonder that never before in the nation’s history has the ruling coalition suffered such massive and sustained erosion of public support and confidence to the extent that uppermost in the minds of Malaysians is the question whether the time for the end of UMNO and Barisan Nasional rule in Malaysia has really come?