'IGP should take heed from Bar and Suhakam'

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has been urged to withdraw his claim that there was nothing wrong with his men interrogating children without parental knowledge.

In a press release today, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok (right) said Khalid should do so in view of contrary opinion expressed by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and Bar Council.

In view of this, Kok said Khalid should, at the very least, withdraw his statement and issue proper guidelines to the police to ensure that the rights of a child are respected and protected.

"Statements by both Suhakam and the Bar Council have again proven that the IGP cannot defend what is indefensible.

"Being the nation's top cop, Khalid's interpretation of the laws can and will become guidelines and instructions for the police," said Kok.

On Thursday, Khalid had publicly defended his men for interrogating SK Seri Pristana students without their their parents being present on grounds that the law did not require so.

In response, Suhakam said that the police may have violated the Child Act 2001 while the Bar Council has explained that provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) implied that a child's guardian should be present when giving statements to the police.