KUALA LUMPUR: The attack on Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Sulizmie Affendi Sulaiman, which left him bloodied, is a “despicable act”, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the Prime Minister said that while the government respects the people’s right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the boundaries of the law.
“The attack that caused injury to a public servant, the Dang Wangi police chief, by irresponsible and self-interested parties, is a despicable act and must be condemned,” he said.
ACP Sulizmie suffered a head injury when he was hit by a rock thrown at him while he was overseeing a court-ordered operation to cut electricity supply to several houses in Kampung Sungai Baru yesterday.
The operation was part of the enforcement process related to the demolition of structures in the area.
“I have urged the authorities to launch an immediate investigation and to promptly arrest those responsible for the assault,” Bernama reported Anwar as saying.
It is learnt that police personnel had instructed residents at the scene to disperse, but a number of them reportedly refused and continued to provoke officers, leading to heightened tensions.
The Prime Minister said peaceful gatherings should not be misused for narrow political interests that could lead to social unrest.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that although he sympathised with the evicted residents, the attack on ACP Sulizmie should not have happened.
“The eviction was done after notices were issued a long time ago. I will ask Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani to look into this problem.
“Even though Umno agreed to hold a convention on the proposed Urban Renewal Act, we will take the necessary action allowed under the laws (to handle the Kampung Sungai Baru incident),” the Umno president told the media after the Global Islamic Financial Summit yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has ordered a thorough investigation into possible elements of political opportunism behind the incident.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he had spoken to the Inspector-General of Police, asking him to identify the perpetrators and take firm action.
Saifuddin said hurting a public servant is a serious offence and cautioned those attempting to exploit the issue for political purposes.
“On the surface, they may appear to defend the people but in reality, they incite hatred, spread false information and promote violence,” he said at the end of the 19th Asean Ministers’ Meeting on Transnational Crime and Related Meetings in Melaka.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa also defended the bailiff’s actions in Kampung Sungai Baru.
“This went through the court, not our own decision. We cannot stop civil servants from carrying out their duties. The important thing is to find a solution.
“The majority of residents have agreed to the redevelopment and have been waiting for eight years.
“Those who did not agree have already received compensation,” she said after the launching of the Malaysia Sarong Music Run in Kuala Lumpur.
