However, Abdullah should realise that any delay in charging the Al-Ma置nah members arrested at Bukit Jenalik after the five-day arms heists stand-off would reflect very poor on the efficiency of the police as well as the Attorney-General痴 Chambers.
The preparation of the White Paper of the Al-Ma置nah arms heists should be no excuse for delay in charging Al-Ma置nah members for murder, attempted murder, abduction, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and impersonation or the court martial of army personnel for negligence for breach of security and discipline in permitting the arms heists at the two Grik military camps.
There have been media reports that the police might be taking the easy
way out by invoking the Emergency Ordinance and further detaining
the 28 Al-Ma置nah people arrested after the Bukit Jenalik surrender on
July 6 for another 60 days after the expiry of their 14-day remand
in the next few days. If this is true, this will be a black mark for the
police on its professionalism and competence.
It is also most unfortunate that there has been no information whatsoever
as to what the authorities have done to court martial army personnel for
their negligence in allowing the two arms heists in Grik to take place.
Defence Minister, Datuk Najib Tun Razak should break this army pall of
silence.
Yesterday, Abdullah reiterated that the government would definitely issue a White Paper on the Al-Ma置nah arms heists and hostage killings.
Abdullah should explain when the White Paper is expected to be completed, and as it is unlikely that the White Paper could be tabled in the current meeting of Parliament, whether a special Parliamentary meeting would be convened latest by next month for a full debate on the Al-Mau地ah arms heists and hostage killings.
(19/7/2000)