Zahid: 55pct detained in Ops Cantas are Malays

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said that 55 percent of those arrested under the country's hardcore crime weeding efforts, Ops Cantas, were Malays.

Another 30 percent were Indians and the rest were Chinese and other ethnic groups.

Since the operations started in mid-August, Ahmad Zahid said the government has screened 1.1 million suspects, detained 39,000 and 10,000 were found to have past criminal records.

"Crime is colour blind and they (criminals) do not care about skin color, so it is with us, whether it's at federal or state level," he said during his speech at the Penang government's ceremony to honour the sacrifice and contribution of the security forces who died during the Sulu incursion.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (right), his father Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang and a host of assemblypersons from Pakatan Rakyat and BN attended the event held at the Esplanade.

"This shows that ethnicity is not our criteria (to arrest criminals)," he said, adding that the police were professional in their duties.

The home minister said he had many discussions with Lim on how to fight crime in Penang, expressing full commitment to work with the latter, despite their political differences.

"I, too, am color blind and this is not for political mileage but I will strongly help promote any efforts to ensure the safety and security of all Malaysians.

"Hopefully I can materialise this commitment while I am in this (home) ministry," he added.

'Good collaboration'

Ahmad Zahid said he appreciated the fact that Lim, the DAP secretary general, had tried vigorously to invite him to grace the event today via SMS messages and emails.

This, he added, was a reflection of good collaboration between the ruling federal government and the opposition.

He said that in matters of security and defending the country in the face of external elements, both sides and various sectors must collaborate.

He urged everyone, regardless of his or her status or political affiliation, to make efforts to collaborate on this matter.

"In this issue, we transcend even race or religion, what more political allegiances," he said. 

Ahmad Zahid also called for closer cooperation between the army and the police, saying that when these two forces combine their strength, "the country is safe".

He added when the "blue ocean strategy" was employed during the Sulu incursion, the army and the police were successful in resolving the crisis. 

"There are all kinds of external threats, whether it is conventional, from spies or espionage.

"As loyal citizens we should strengthen our spirits to defend the country although we come from various backgrounds. We should not compromise in the face of these threats," he added.

On the newly amended and reinforced Prevention of Crime Act, Ahmad Zahid said the support of the government and the opposition was necessary.

Lim, on behalf of the Penang government today handed over RM300,000 to the ten security personnel who died during Ops Daulat in February.

Ahmad Zahid received a mock cheque of RM240,000 on behalf of the police, while Panglima Div 2 Infantry Malaysia representative to the Defence Ministry, Major General Mohd Shukri Ahmad, received RM60,000 on behalf of the army personnel who died.

Eight of the personnel were from the Royal Malaysian Police Force while two were from the Malaysian Armed Forces.

During his opening speech, Lim said although those who died were not from Penang but his administration will stand in solidarity with the security forces who are always struggling hard to defend the country from its enemies.

"We must emphasise that regardless of whether we are Malays, Chinese, Indians, Iban, or Kadazan, from Penang or Sabah, we are all Malaysians," he said.

"The violent incursion in Sabah has become a historical reality to make us aware of the country's sovereignty. Every inch of Sabah is the same as every inch of Penang.

"If Sabah is attacked, it is like Penang being attacked, too, and it is necessary for all Malaysians to unite to defend the country, until the end," he added.