Police's first duty is to restore Malaysia's peaceful reputation - Lim Kit Siang

In a statement, the Gelang Patah MP also stressed that the police should not be distracted by proposals to set up a Syariah unit or squad to check prices.

“Khalid must always remind himself that he is IGP for all Malaysians, and not just IGP for any one race or religion, and any divergence from this guiding principle amounts to criminal negligence of his high office,” said Lim.

Lim also reminded Malaysia’s Inspecto-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to ask himself why he had allowed religious strife, intolerance and conflict to occur in the country.

However, he also said that he was glad that Khalid has finally spoken up by issuing a ‘strict warning’ to those responsible for the incitement of racial and religious hatred, conflict and tension ‘to immediately stop such provocations which can jeopardise public order’.

Nevertheless, Lim also questioned why the IGP had taken so long to wake up to the racial and religious ‘provocations’ of a small group of irresponsible and reckless traitors out to destabilise the country and possibly cause another ‘May 13’.

“It is however better late than never and all Malaysians hope the IGP and the police will on constant standby to prevent the conspirators who want Malaysia go up in flames in a racial and religious conflagration would be stopped in their tracks and be given no space or room to carry out their nefarious and treacherous activities,” he said.

Lim cited a report from The Malaysian Insider dated January 29, 2014, by Elizabeth Zachariah headlined “Malaysia no longer land of peace and tolerance, says Pakistan website”.

He claimed that the statement is an indictment and stain on the efficiency, professionalism and career of IGP Khalid.

Lim also cited the recent ‘religious conflict’ in Penang where provocative banners involving the usage of the word ‘Allah’ resulting in the Molotov cocktail attacks on Churches.

However, he said Muslims in Penang and Malaysia can be assured that if mosques and suraus are attacked, non-Muslim whether Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs or Taoists will come to their defence.

“In the same manner, if non-Muslim places of worship are attacked, Muslims should be in the forefront of their defence.

“If we can arrive at such an understanding and concord in multi-religious Malaysia, it will be a big step forward in promoting harmony, unity and tolerance in the achievement of a Malaysian Dream,” said Lim.

He said the problem in Malaysia is purely because the police lack the political will and mandate to discharge their first duty which is to keep the country and citizens safe and secure.