IGP should be more 'professional', retired judge says

KUALA LUMPUR: Retired Court of Appeal judge Justice Mohd Hishamuddin Mohd Yunus today reminded Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to be more professional in any statements he makes.
Hishamuddin was referring to a recent statement Khalid had made, where he defended police officials who attended an anti-Christian seminar held at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) campus in Malacca on Dec 12.
"The IGP, with respect, should be more professional in whatever he says.
"He should give the appearance that 'I am the IGP, I am neutral and I am the custodian of the public conscience'," he said during a public forum entitled "Whither the Federal Constitution - Do Fundamental and Minority Rights Matter" at the Straits Trading Building today.
Hishamuddin said the organising of the seminar itself was "very, very unfortunate" as it tended to demonise Christians.
"As a matter of fact, universities should actually encourage the opposite, should encourage interfaith, inter-reaction dialogues," he added.
Khalid, had on Dec 16, said there was no law to prevent police from attending or giving talks at anti-Christian seminars, following questions by various quarters over the presence of police at the seminar.
Human rights lawyer Aston Paiva also echoed Hishamuddin's sentiment that the seminar should not have taken place, accusing leaders of the country of not understanding the concept of interfaith dialogues.
"Their idea of interfaith dialogue is, let's show what's wrong with other religions. That's not it.
"Interfaith dialogue means we look at our similarities, the similar values which all religions call on. We find that and use that as a basis at which we move forward," he said.
He said the public should also be more rational in the matter, and encouraged them to have interfaith dialogues with their.