CID chief: Police acted in accordance to guidelines

CID chief: Police acted in accordance to guidelines

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 -

A grim-faced Datuk Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin, the Federal CID chief, this evening confirmed that Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had been arrested outside his Segambut home at 1pm today, one hour before the given deadline to report in at the city police headquarters in Jalan Hang Tuah.

Looking very tense, Bakri strode into a conference room at 6.30pm at the central police headquarters in Bukit Aman, and tersely announced that he would only be making a press statement concerning Anwar'sarrest and would not be taking any questions from the Press.

"To ensure that a successful action would be taken by PDRM (the Royal Malaysian Police Force), PDRM required an organised and perfect plan," he began in Bahasa Malaysia, reading aloud from a prepared text.

He stated that the arrest of Anwar by the Special Criminal Investigation Department was done professionally based on that necessity and did not contravene the established guidelines.

"PDRM had taken into consideration the security angle of the operation that was conducted, whether it be the security of the police officers carrying out their duties, or the individual who was acted upon.

"Security is the most important thing in an operation. PDRM has rules in performing duties and responsibilities placed upon the police. This action was done according to the existing guidelines," Bakri said.

"PDRM did not want to make any arrests inside his house that could raise a commotion. The warrant of arrest has been served on him (Anwar).

"At this moment, he is assisting in police investigations in a sodomy case lodged by his aide," he announced.

He did not mention where Anwar was being questioned, nor whether he would be further remanded or charged for sodomy.

The police commissioner only added that Anwar had been allowed to meet with a lawyer of his choice, who was also currently with him; and that Anwar would be allowed to meet his family.

He concluded the meeting with the media by saying: "PDRM would like to assure all concerned that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is at the moment safe under police care".

Following that, Bakri made a swift exit, sweeping past tired reporters who had earlier been informed that he would be granting a press conference and not merely issuing a press statement.

Many had been waiting for over an hour to question him on the police's next course.

kzso - we will know by tomorrow what will be the police next course of action