Zaid is a confused man, says IGP Khalid

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar believes that former law minister Zaid Ibrahim is afflicted with a bout of confusion.

Khalid was responding to the call from the former Umno MP to Malaysians to join the March 27 gathering to protest against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s leadership.

“I think he is a confused man,” Khalid told Malaysiakini.

Previously, Zaid, after courting a warning from the police chief on the proposed gathering, clarified that it would not be a public rally and would be held indoors.

However, in his latest blog posting, the former minister once again urged Malaysians to be courageous and to attend the gathering.

Meanwhile, Khalid reiterated that if the gathering spilled over into the streets, then Zaid would have to face the music.

“I have already warned him that, as a lawyer, he should know there are only two legal ways to remove a prime minister, which is through elections or a vote of no confidence in Parliament.

“As I mentioned before, if things get out of hand, he (Zaid) will face trouble,” Khalid said.

'Follow the proper procedure'

He also advised Zaid to follow the proper procedure if he intended to hold the gathering in an indoor venue.

On the same note, Khalid revealed that police would monitor the speeches for incendiary or inflammatory statements.

“If things said are seditious, we will take action as prescribed by the law,” he said.

Last week, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also confirmed that he would be attending the gathering since he had no other option.

Mahathir has accused his former protege-turned-nemesis of numerous wrongdoings with regard to 1MDB and the billions transferred into Najib’s personal bank accounts.

Najib has denied the allegations of corruption and blamed these on those attempting to topple him from power.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali has also cleared the prime minister of any wrong-doing, but detractors continue to claim there is a cover-up, which the government has denied. -Mkini