Why Mahathir still needs police protection

PETALING JAYA: A security expert has criticised the government’s decision to stop providing police bodyguards to former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, saying matters of personal security should never be politicised.

Speaking to FMT, JK Associates principal consultant Khen Han Ming said a former prime minister would always be in need of protection.

“There are many factors to consider,” he said, adding that in Mahathir’s case, “extremist groups may find him to be still a highly valuable target.”

The personal bodyguard service was provided by the elite Special Action Unit (UTK). Mahathir, now chairman of the Pakatan Harapan opposition coalition, announced its withdrawal in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

Khen said: “We need to be mindful that Tun Mahathir was instrumental in various anti-terrorist operations, from communism to religious extremism. He may be targeted by his adversaries.”

He added that the risks included kidnapping and assassination.

He said police needed to explain whether they had taken Mahathir’s safety into consideration.

“Is the Tun still being placed under the close protection of the police from other units? Otherwise, this is total disregard for the personal safety and wellbeing of a former leader, regardless of his political views, to which he has a fundamental right.”

He said he found it appalling that matters of security were being politicised in such a way.

“It’s a new low when we see how Tun Mahathir is being systematically deprived of a privilege which should be enjoyed by any former prime minister, especially in a democratic country, all in an attempt to break his spirit.

“The government, especially the police, needs to get its priorities right and differentiate between the role of the state and political interests.

“The Tun doesn’t deserve to be stripped of his dignity and honour in such a way.”

Khen said Putrajaya should learn from the Philippines government to respect the memory of a former leader despite his unpopularity with some groups.

“Former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos was accorded a state funeral at the Heroes’ Cemetery despite being the target of much criticism and opposition by certain parties,” he noted.

The withdrawal of the bodyguard service came a year after Putrajaya ended the contracts of Mahathir’s cook and office assistant.

Also last year, Putrajaya withdrew Mahathir’s police outrider service following his attendance at anti-government events.

Former inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said then that Mahathir would have to apply for traffic police escorts, adding that it would be approved only if he was attending an official government function. -FMT