Beware of entrapment, PKR members told

The warning comes in the wake of a MACC sting operation in which a party man was arrested.

BUTTERWORTH: PKR has advised its members to be alert against entrapment attempts by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).

The warning follows news reports that MACC had arrested an aide of one of Penang’s deputy chief ministers in a sting operation last Thursday. According to the reports, the aide is an official of PKR’s Permatang Pauh division and he was arrested with two others in the act of bribing a woman to induce her to drop a complaint of sexual harassment against a civil servant.

In issuing the warning, PKR deputy information head Sim Tze Tzin said his party respected the right of MACC to investigate suspected corruption, but he noted that enforcement agencies had a history of showing their pro-BN bias and of harassing opposition figures when elections were near.

“Learn to have a critical and suspicious outlook to ensure we are not entrapped,” he said, adding that party members should tell their families and associates to exercise the same level of vigilance.

“Protect oneself, be cautious when dealing with the public, associates or acquaintances. Be ethical when dealing with people. This is always the best way to carry oneself as a righteous standing member of PKR.”

He said enforcement agencies might be trying to help BN in its election campaign by giving voters, especially fence sitters, a bad impression of Pakatan Rakyat state governments.

But he added that PKR would not defend any member found guilty of breaking the law.

PKR insiders have identified the arrested aide as a loyal supporter of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and whom he had chosen as a candidate in the coming general election.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is expected to announce measures to protect the integrity of the state civil service in light of Thursday’s arrest.

It is learnt that the three suspects were nabbed in Seberang Prai. Reports said undercover MACC officers moved in when RM30,000 changed hands to the woman who made the sexual harassment report.

MACC has said it would not publicise the details until it has completed its investigation. The case is said to involve claims of extortion, blackmail and bribery.

Penang DAP central working committee member Zulkifli Mohd Noor urged the agency to speed up the probe.