IGP Khalid says suspect in Melaka protection racket known to him

KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pic) said although he and his family knew the main suspect in the Melaka protection racket case, he was not aware what the man was involved in.

"Anyone who knows me and my family knows that if they do something illegal they will have to answer for it.

"Many people have my phone number and contact me throughout the day. I do not know all the people who contact me," he said at the launch of Ops Selamat at Menara TM here on Wednesday.

He said that London-based whistleblower Sarawak Report was targetting him in order to tarnish his name and the image of the police force.

"They are working together with a deregistered Malaysian crime NGO," Khalid said.

Sarawak Report alleged that the main suspect in the case had direct contact with the IGP.

Asked if police would guarantee the safety of Sarawak Report editor Claire Rewcastle Brown, Khalid said he could not.

"She has a lot to answer for here," Khalid said, adding that Brown had previously alleged that he had gone on holiday to Rome using government money.

Khalid explained that he had accompanied the Sultan of Pahang to Rome to collect two helicopters for the government.