Guan Eng tells cops not to spin his remarks, focus on probe

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (above) today asked police to focus on their investigations instead of his remarks.

He said this when asked to respond to Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, who dismissed Lim's statement that police had assured no further DAP representatives would be arrested in a crackdown on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"Someone said I am interfering with investigations, I have never said that. So I hope that all quarters will not twist my remarks.

"Ayob also read my remarks. Don't twist the statement of a national leader," Lim told reporters in Parliament today.

"I hope officers, like Ayob, will focus their time on investigating... not commenting on the remarks of an unrelated minister, because that is not what I said. Many have twisted my remarks," he also said.

Lim, who is also Finance Minister, stressed that DAP supported the police, citing additional allocation for the force under Budget 2020.

He also defended his statement last week, which he claimed was being twisted by the opposition.

"My statement was about elected representatives, so if there are any elected representatives who are arrested, it means I was given the wrong view.

"But let's focus on the investigation so that it can be solved quickly, and those involved can be released and if necessary, brought to court," he said.

Last week police detained seven individuals, including DAP's Gadek assemblyperson G Saminathan (above, left) and Seremban Jaya assemblyperson P Gunasekara (above, right), over alleged links to LTTE.

Following this, Lim issued a statement - which Ayob was then asked about at a press conference on Sunday.

What did Lim's statement say?

"I was just briefed that both of them will be subject to investigations under Sosma which allows for 28 days of detention.

"The police promised a speedy investigation to allow for the submission of their investigation papers to the Attorney General Chambers and enable our 2 DAP leaders to be released early.

"The police also claimed to have concrete proof to make such arrests and had referred to all relevant authorities at the highest levels, before taking action.

"I was also informed that whilst more people will be arrested for alleged links to LTTE, no more leaders or wakil rakyats from DAP will be targeted," Lim said in a statement last Thursday.

What did Ayub Khan say?

"On the statement issued by Lim, I am not sure where he got his input saying that police will not investigate, carry out arrests, I am not sure.

"What I am sure of was - it wasn't from me. I have never issued any statement saying we will stop investigations, no.

"Maybe it was someone else, I don't know. There is no reason for us to stop our investigation.

"Do we have to stop investigations because it involves DAP? No.

"It did not come from me. Maybe it was someone else, I don't know.

"We will continue investigating, and if there is enough evidence we will carry out further arrests," Ayob said.

Police have thus far arrested 12 people in their LTTE probe.

They were detained and probed under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma). - Mkini