PETALING JAYA: The senior police officer, who was charged with the murder of a 17-year-old motorcyclist, was not given preferential treatment, say Perak police.
State police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan said the move to avoid the public when the suspect was brought to court was due to security reasons and not to evade media personnel.
He said police had merely taken precautionary steps to ensure the process of charging the accused, Deputy Supt Mohd Nazri Abdul Razak, was carried out smoothly without any hindrance or disturbance.
“The case had gained much attention. We were aware that many people had gathered outside the courthouse. To avoid any chaos that could possibly occur, we had to take certain security measures.
“We were not trying to give the accused any special treatment,” he said yesterday.
Comm Mohd Yusri said the move was neither to avoid the media nor hinder journalists from carrying out their work.
“I sincerely apologise to the media for the misunderstanding. We, the police, have close ties with the media here and we work together very well.
“We understand that media personnel are merely performing their duty. It was never our plan to evade the media. Court reporters were allowed to cover the case as usual,” he said.
While expressing sadness over the death of the victim, Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie, Comm Mohd Yusri said the accused was charged within two days after the incident as investigations were carried out promptly, fairly and with transparency.
Earlier, journalists and cameramen, who had gathered at the courthouse to cover the case, were riled up and disappointed when the accused gave them the slip after being taken through another entrance accompanied by police personnel.
