I’m not worried if action is taken against my brother, says IGP

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar speaking to the media in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, April 21, 2015.Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar today refused to be drawn into the controversy of the contradicting statements between him and Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamid over the church protest, saying he will not interfere in the investigations if his brother is being probed.

"I already said it, I don't want to repeat what I said. The situation is already calm, and I urge all, including news portals not to highlight this issue anymore," he said in a press conference when answering questions on the contradictory statements.

Yesterday, Khalid had said there was no element of sedition in the protest by a group of 50 Muslims against a church located in a shophouse in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya on Sunday, as the demonstration was not against Christianity, but the location of the church in a largely Malay-Muslim neighbourhood.

Khalid's statement came following revelation that his older brother, Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar, was among those protesting against a cross erected by a church on the façade of the building.

Zahid, however, yesterday said that the protest was indeed seditious, contradicting the views of Khalid.

Today at the Federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Khalid gave his assurance that every police report will be investigated.

"I give the assurance that every police report lodged, we will investigate. Let the authorities, local council, state government and police conduct their investigations and take necessary action.

"I'm appealing to all of you, there are things we can drag and spread, but issues on race and religion, we can't play with.

"I'm not worried if action will be taken against my brother if he is involved in any offence. If there is any investigation, I will not interfere.

"I'm really professional on this. No sibling sentiments will influence our action," Khalid said.

He also urged media not to keep highlighting the issue, as it involved religion and would not benefit any party if the issue dragged on.

"As the press, you have your responsibility; you know what issue this is. This is not an issue, that we can simply highlight, when it involves religion, it is enough.

"If we all purposely play on this issue, it will not benefit any party; we should not play with the people's sentiment. It is not good for our multi-racial and multi-religious country."

When asked about a reporter who was assaulted while covering the protest on Sunday, he said police would take action if there was a report lodged.

"I already said it, if he lodges a police report, we will take action," he said.

On accusations that he was practising double-standards, Khalid challenged those who accused him of it, to prove it.

He added that such accusations are not new to him ever since he was the Selangor police chief.

On Sunday, some 50 people gathered outside the new church in Taman Medan to demand that the cross affixed to the building be removed.

The protesters reportedly said the presence of a cross in a Muslim-majority area, posed a challenge to the religion and could sway the faith of youth.

The cross was taken down by church leaders a few hours later.

- TMI