Zahid Hamidi must withdraw false statement on kidnap threat

15 Jamadilakhir 1432H - I refer to the statement by UMNO Vice President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (photo) that the kidnap threat against Keadilan Vice President and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah's child is an opposition ploy to gain sympathy. "The threat was politically motivated and called for Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to withdraw from politics."

Zahid's statement is false, inappropriate and extremely prejudicial to the ongoing police investigation into the kidnap threat. It is also grossly unbecoming for a senior cabinet minister to issue such a statement, knowing full well that the matter is the subject of a police investigation. Instead of showing concern for the serious threat made against an innocent child, Zahid has disgraced his high office by playing politics.

Similarly, despite the ongoing police investigation, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin last week insinuated that the person in the sex video is Oppostion Leader Anwar Ibrahim. He said this in a statement directed towards Kelantan MB (Tok Guru Datuk) Nik Abdul Aziz bin Nik Mat. Muhyiddin's statement proves that UMNO and the Government with the collaboration of the police and AG's chambers are bent on making the public believe that Anwar is the person in the video.

The statements of both these Ministers demonstrates that UMNO leaders have no interest in ensuring that the criminal justice system and independent institutions operate fairly and impartially.

Wherever it involves UMNO's interests, they are prepared to disregard the law and improperly exert influence in order to achieve their purposes.

We condemn this reprehensible statement by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and demand that he withdraw and apologise for it. We also ask for an assurance from the police that the investigations into the kidnap threat are being carried out expeditiously and fairly.

--- By N Surendran, Vice President Parti Keadilan Rakyat, 16 May 2011.