Action of Peter Chong caused unnecessary panic throughout nation: IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: The actions of former Petaling Jaya Municipal Councillor and activist Peter Chong Fook Meng had caused panic throughout the nation, said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
"He wasted a lot of our man-hours. We need to know why he did that so we are still investigating.
"Yes I'm aware of the news report saying Haadyai police did not receive any report on Peter Chong's abduction in Thailand but we are now in the midst of checking his report status with Pattaya Police," he said after attending the annual police service excellence awards in Bukit Aman police headquarters here today.
Khalid said police were also doubtful about Chong's explanation on his disappearance and are now working with Pattaya police to verify some information.
"It is still premature to conclude anything on Chong's case," he said, adding that he did not want to comment when asked if there were any new leads in the ongoing investigation into Pastor Raymond Koh Keng Joo's abduction.
He said the other three activists who were still classified as "missing" as there was no evidence that they were abducted or kidnapped.
The other three are Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth and as well as social activist Amri Che Mat who went missing last year.
"There are 5,100 people reported missing and they are no different," he said.
Meanwhile, he said a task force is investigating these missing person cases.
Meanwhile, Khalid said police will remain vigilant following threats by Abu Sayyaf to conduct more kidnappings in Sabah.
He said police personnel in Sabah are always on the alert for any threat, especially from Abu Sayyaf.
"We are committed to protecting our home soil, especially Sabah and we will not take anything for granted," he added.
However, Khalid believed that Abu Sayyaf's operations have been dealt a big blow following the death of one of its main leaders.
"We are also ready to face the remaining members of the terror group fleeing to Sabah," he added.
On a separate matter, Khalid rubbished a WhatsApp message warning people about joining and not being able to exit an Islamic State – linked group named 'Firdaus we ascend'.
"We have our own ways of investigating Daesh related issues, there is no such thing as what is being mentioned by the whatsapp warning," he said.