N Surendran will go on armed criminal operations

Posted on October 15, 2013 by weehingthong

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N SURENDRAN WILL GO ON AN ARMED CRIMINALS OPS

The Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, invited PKR parliamentarian N Surendran to experience first hand a shootout with criminals.

Calling it a “skin feeling”, the police chief made the offer in a Twitter posting.

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Malaysiakini

IGP rules out presence of journalists ‘for now’

 

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has ruled out the possibility of journalists being present during the confrontation with suspected armed criminals to which PKR vice-president N Surendran has been invited to observe.

Responding to a question on this, the police chief replied: “Not for now.”

He stressed that the invitation to Surendran was not to seek publicity but to expose the true facts and reality of such encounters between the police and armed criminals.

Khalid was commenting on a Twitter posting by Lawyers for Liberty asking if journalists could be present during the ‘PDRM/Surendran vs Suspected Criminals great shootout?’

Failing which, LFL asked, “What is the point?”

IGP rules out presence of journalists ‘for now’

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Malaysia Chronicle

Wednesday, 16 October 2013 16:18

DEATH IS IRREVERSIBLE: Should Surendran be a SITTING DUCK for ‘shoot-first’ govt?

Written by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

KUALA LUMPUR – There is little doubt that Opposition politician N Surendran is a thorn in the flesh of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government, especially as far as the Home Ministry and some of the top police chiefs are concerned.Should a nasty ‘accident’ – whether planned or truly the result of grave danger – befall him, it won’t surprise anyone if the news that he has been put out of action, even temporarily, raised a secret sigh of relief in some of the government offices and departments.

Why? Because at 46, a brilliant lawyer and eligible bachelor still, Surendran has been able to focus on the issues that haunt the Indian community most, and bring these to national attention.

The issues include rampant deaths in police custody, Indians born in Malaysia but denied citizenship despite applying for years, unfair laws, racial and religious discrimination, lack of education opportunities and so on.

Surendran and his team, which often include party mates such as S Jayathas, Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah and lawyer Latheefa Koya, have been instrumental in forcing the government to order second autopsies for custodial death victims such as Kugan Ananthan and S Dharmendran.

Through dogged lobbying, they have managed to force the government to level murder charges on those responsible for these brutal killings. So far, one constable has been found guilty of causing Kugan’s death, while 4 other officers are due to face trial for Dharmendran’s murder.

Hence, it is not difficult to understand the worry – even near hysteria – among his supporters at the news that he had accepted the “unprofessional” challenge thrown at him by Inspector General of Police Khalid Ibrahim.

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WATCH YOUR BACK, SURENDRAN!

“Surendran is not allowed to bring his own additional protection apart from that provided by the police and he has to travel with the police in the special logistics prepared.

Malaysian Insider

Your safety your responsibility, cops tell Surendran over shootout invite

BY YISWAREE PALANSAMY
October 16, 2013

Opposition lawmakers have accused the police of acting in bad faith after Padang Serai MP N. Surendran was told to come as a participant in a police shootout operation, and not make any claims against the government if anything untoward were to happen.

These two clauses were included in the indemnity forms given by police to Surendran today at the Bukit Aman police headquarters,  where Surendran was given the body armour for protection.

Accompanying Surendran was his legal advisor R. Sivarasa who said that the indemnity requirements were ridiculous because the invitation was at the initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

Your safety your responsibility, cops tell Surendran over shootout invite

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27m

. in bullet-proof vest 😦

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Malaysiakini
Surendran ties out police body armour

PKR vice-president N Surendran was fitted with police body armour today in preparation to join them in their operations. However, he has yet to sign an indemnity required by the police.

According to his legal adviser R Sivarasa, the indemnity, among other things, absolves the police of responsibility in case of any incident, and bars Surendran from “making any claim whatsoever against the government of Malaysia, the police, the inspector-general of police, or any officer involved in the operation”.Sivarasa said he has advised Surendran against joining in the police shoot-out operation, while Surendren told the media that he is still prepared to go ahead, subject to his discussions with the party leaders and legal advisers.
Surendran ties out police body armour
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18m

Lol RT : Besides the bullet-proof vest i think should consider using this.

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Free Malaysia Today

Why I accepted the IGP’s ‘shoot-out’ invite

October 16, 2013

The police chief’s challenge to me to observe operations was a knee-jerk response to legitimate criticism, but I have accepted it in good faith.

By N Surendran

I would like to thank everyone from all over the country who have expressed their views on the IGP’s ‘shootout’ invitation to me.

Many have expressed strong reservations on my participation in such a police operation and their concerns for my safety.

The IGP’s invite to me on Friday night was a result of my condemnation of the Home Minister’s outrageous call for a “shoot-first” policy, and the defence by the police top brass of that statement.
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Needless to say this is an illogical response.

We have never said that police personnel do not face danger in carrying out their tasks; but we make no apologies for criticising unlawful and criminal conduct by any police personnel in their contact with suspects.

In response to my criticisms, the IGP challenged me to observe operations. It was a knee-jerk response to legitimate criticism, but I have accepted it in good faith.

However, the IGP’s invite does not answer my criticism of the Home Minister’s “shoot-first” policy and the increasing cases of fatal police shootings.

The public still awaits reasonable answers and explanations from the IGP and the government.

For the full article, click on 

Also read  I’m not seeking political mileage, says Surendran

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Lawyer Sankara Nairsaid, “This is not a movie. This is real. It is irresponsible for the IGP to have challenged Surendran to get into this.”  

Free Malaysia Today

‘Bringing Surendran on ops is unlawful’

Lisa J. Ariffin | October 15, 2013

Bringing civilians on police shootouts is a clear breach of law, says lawyer and ex-cop.

PETALING JAYA: Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s offer to Padang Serai MP N Surendran to tag along with the police in their operation against armed criminals is a breach of the Police Act 1967.

Lawyer Sankara Nair said today that the IGP had resorted to political brinkmanship and has “no right of power” to invite a civilian into an actual police operation.

“Only people appointed properly by law according to the Act can exercise powers of police and be involved in any police action.

“Civilians cannot be involved in any way in any police operation,” he said.

“Here the IGP is basically allowing some breach of law when they don’t have such powers to do so. They don’t have the power to commit breach of law.
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Sankara then criticised Surendran for accepting the challenge, as the latter was a lawyer himself and should have known that the offer was a breach of the law.

“We must be fair. He (Surendran) is a lawyer and ought to know the law. He should have asked the IGP to produce law, not play political brinkmanship as well,” he said.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/10/15/bringing-surendran-on-ops-is-unlawful/

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However, Surendran said the offer has very little to do with issues he had raised in the past, especially regarding the police’s operating procedures when it comes to confronting armed criminals.

Malaysiakini

Surendran set to participate in armed criminal ops

PKR vice-president N Surendran will go ahead to have a “skin feeling” at the police’s next operation against armed criminals despite calls for him not to accept the invitation from inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar.

“I have been bombarded on my Twitter in the last couple of days with people asking me not to go (accept the invitation),” said the lawyer, who has been critical of the police’s alleged high-handedness when dealing with criminals in dangerous situations.

However, he told Malaysiakini that as an elected representative, he should not decline the offer, which he described as an opportunity to “experience” how police officers do their jobs and the hazards they face.

The bizarre offer was made to him by the IGP during a Twitter exchange late Friday night, after Surendran criticised the police’s conduct in shooting dead 10 suspected criminals over three days.

“I have accepted the offer, so I will go,” said the Padang Serai MP, who will be going to the Bukit Aman police headquarters at 2pm tomorrow to collect his bullet proof vest and to work out the technicalities involved in the offer.

“I am not sure what I will have to sign. We will go there tomorrow and see what they say, and we will take it from there,” he said.

Surendran set to participate in armed criminal ops

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Malaysiakini

Surendran: 10 killed after ‘shoot first’ remark
11:19AM Oct 14, 2013

Ten criminals were shot dead by police within the span of three days, not long after Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s controversial “shoot first” comment, said an opposition MP.

NONEPKR’s Padang Serai parliamentarian N Surendran, describing these shootings as “murder”, linked the incidents to the minister’s comments.

On Oct 9, three people were shot dead in Sentul, while three were killed in Ipoh on Oct 10 and four in Ampang on Oct 11, he said.

“Zahid has officially endorsed murder by the police force; and the inspector-general of police and top brass have been disgracefully defending Zahid’s criminal statement,” he said in a statement.

“Public safety is in grave danger. We call for an immediate end to the ‘shoot-first’ policy, and for Zahid and the IGP to be probed for conspiracy and abetment of murder.

“Why is it that not one of the 10 could be arrested alive or by a disabling shot?”

Surendran: 10 killed after ‘shoot first’ remark

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Nurul Izzah called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to stop being preoccupied with the Umno general election to the point that he forgets to maintain sanity and common sense within his own Cabinet. She said the government should be Malaysia-oriented, not Umno-action oriented.

Malaysian Insider

Nurul Izzah slams IGP for inviting MP to experience shootout with criminals

BY LEE SHI-IAN
October 13, 2013

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The Inspector-General of Police should retract the shocking offer he made to N. Surendran and instead meet the opposition halfway in addressing the weaknesses within the police force, said PKR.

Its vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar (pic) said Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s offer to Padang Serai MP N. Surendran to accompany police and experience a risky first-hand shootout with criminals was a challenge devoid of any principles. She also expressed indignation at the indemnity clause inserted by Khalid.

“Surendran, like every single Malaysian, has every right to request for the highest level of professionalism from the police and to be protected without bias, without the fear of threats and requests for an indemnity,” Nurul Izzah said in a statement.

“No member of Parliament should entertain this police display of bias, uncouth and threatening behaviour, lest we all fall into a downward spiral of irresponsible conduct. I, myself, will not condone any of my colleagues pursuing such risky endeavours,” the Lembah Pantai MP said.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/nurul-izzah-slams-igp-for-inviting-mp-to-experience-shootout-with-criminals

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Malaysia Chronicle

Saturday, 12 October 2013 17:20

IS IGP TRYING TO SET UP SURENDRAN’S MURDER? Why ask for indemnity – Azmin

Written by Azmin Ali

I refer to the IGP’s challenge to KEADILAN Vice President, YB N. Surendran to accompany the police on a ‘shoot out’ with alleged criminals.

This is an irresponsible and unacceptable challenge by Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to a sitting Member of Parliament who has raised legitimate concerns on the ‘shoot first’ policy of the Home Minister.

Instead of issuing such challenges, the IGP should address the concerns of all Malaysians over the shocking admissions made by Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over the past week. His statements are tantamount to an admission that suspects were being deliberately shot dead by police.

Indemnity – what is this?

Further, it is very disturbing that the IGP has asked N. Surendran to sign an indemnity absolving the police for any ‘mishaps’ that may happen when he accompanies the ‘shoot- out’ team.

Is the IGP asking N. Surendran to sign his own death-warrant ? Why are the police so quick to absolve themselves of liability, although the IGP himself had made the offer to N. Surendran ?

We have never disputed that our law enforcement officers put themselves at risk, and we deeply appreciate their sacrifices. What we do dispute is any use of excessive force by police and the illegal, high-handed and criminal ‘shoot first’ policy.

Come up with professional solutions

The effective and professional way to address these issues is by establishing a body like the IPCMC to ensure that the police follow prescribed SOPs and that errant personnel are appropriately dealt with.

Instead, the IGP issues an arrogant and outrageous challenge to an elected representative of the people.

His behaviour is totally unbecoming that of the head of the Royal Malaysian Police Force and we must remind him that while the position comes with immense power, it also carries grave responsibilities.

Mohamed Azmin Ali

Deputy President, PKR

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Malaysian Insider

Surendran accepts offer, ready to tag along with police in the line of fire

BY LEE SHI-IAN
October 12, 2013

Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president N. Surendran is ready to don body armour and accompany the police to experience first-hand a shootout with criminals.

He was quoted by Malaysiakini as saying that while he was not sure about the offer by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, he was prepared to accept the invitation.

“If Khalid is serious, then I am prepared to accept the offer. I am willing to put myself in the line of fire with the policemen who are subject to similar risks,” Surendran told the portal.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/surendran-accepts-offer-ready-to-tag-along-with-police-in-the-line-of-fire

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However, the offer is contingent on Surendran signing an indemnity agreement in case of any “mishap”.

Malaysiakini

IGP invites Surendran to a ‘shootout’
6:57AM Oct 12, 2013

Amidst mounting criticism, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has invited PKR parliamentarian N Surendran to experience first hand a shootout with criminals.

Calling it a “skin feeling”, the police chief made the offer in a Twitter posting last night.

Khalid also said the Padang Serai MP would be provided with adequate protection in the form of body armour should he decide to accept the invitation.

When contacted, the PKR vice-president told Malaysiakini that he was not certain if the IGP was serious.

However, Surendran said he had no qualms accepting the invitation.

“If he is serious, then I am prepared to accept it. I am willing to put myself in the line of fire with the policemen who subject themselves to similar risks.

“I am willing to do this in the interest of creating a better criminal justice system,” he added.

Surendran, a lawyer turned politician, has been a vocal critic of the police with regard to the excessive use of force.

IGP invites Surendran to a ‘shootout’

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