IGP confirms withdrawal of Mahathir's traffic police escort

KOTA KINABALU: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar today confirmed that the traffic police escort for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had been withdrawn and it was because the former prime minister had violated laws while using the service.
He said Tun Mahathir had used the escort when he attended a Bersih illegal rally, a gathering protesting the Goods and Services Tax and going around collecting signatures for a declaration.

"I withdrew the traffic police escort for Tun Mahathir ... it was my personal decision as the IGP. What's the use of providing traffic police escort to an individual who violates the laws and the constitution?
"We cannot support any action that violates the country's laws. I hope Tun M understands the position of the Royal Malaysia Police which upholds the Rukun Negara. How can we support someone who violates the law?" he told reporters after presenting the Pingat Kedaulatan Negara (PKN) awards here.
Khalid said Tun Mahathir could apply for the traffic police escort service if he wanted to attend any official function.
"If Tun M wants to use the service, he can send me an application and we will provide the service if he is attending an official function and does not violate any law or the constitution," he said.
He also said that Tun Mahathir continued to enjoy the police bodyguard service provided by officers of the Special Action Unit.
Khalid also issued a warning to untrained people who volunteered to provide motorcycle escort service to Tun Mahathir.
"They are endangering not only their lives but also other people's because they are not trained and it is illegal," he said.
On another matter, Khalid said the police were continuing with their efforts to secure the release of four Malaysians abducted by gunmen and taken to the Philippines on April 1.
"We were informed that all four of them are safe and in good health. We believe they are kept on the move to avoid detection," he said, but declined to elaborate.
Sarawakians Wong Teck Kang, 31, Wong Hung Sing, 34, Wong Teck Chii, 29, and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21, crew of the tugboat 'Masfive 6', were abducted by armed pirates while returning to Malaysia after sending logs to Manila.
Earlier, Khalid presented the PKN awards to 200 police officers and men from the Department of Internal Security and Public Order who were involved in the 'Op Daulat' operation during the intrusion in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, in February 2013. — Bernama