See us as Malaysians, PN rep tells deputy IGP

Perikatan Nasional's (PN) Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin has urged Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay not to restrict opposition politicians from voicing the people's issues, adding that Ayob is no longer leading the police's anti-violence division.

"Now he (Ayob) is the deputy inspector-general of police. He should see us as part of the Malaysian people who want change," he said after giving a statement at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Afif was among nine individuals summoned to give statements today over their involvement in the "Save Malaysia" gathering in Kampung Baru on Sept 16.

The demonstration was organised by PN to protest the attorney-general's controversial decision to halt the corruption trial of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his Yayasan Akalbudi case.

Others who were summoned include "Save Malaysia" secretariat Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz and Bersatu women's wing chief Nurul Fazilah Kamarudin.

Ayob said the gathering had not complied with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, that the police were not given prior notice, and that it was held in a prohibited area such as a mosque.

Afif, who also spoke at the rally, said it was very unfortunate that opposition representatives were being summoned by the police under the administration of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who positions himself as a reformist.

He also said that Ayob, as the deputy inspector-general of police, should understand the concerns of the people.

"He should be more sympathetic to the fact that what we are doing is voicing the people's concerns," he said, adding that it was important for opposition politicians to speak out on other national issues, such as rising commodity prices.