Shooting of two Myanmar politicians: Police monitoring situation closely

 

PETALING JAYA (Feb 18): Following the recent shooting of two Myanmar politicians at Kuala Lumpur City Centre, police today said they would closely monitor the activities of foreign politicians in the country.

 

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said he was concerned about the ongoing unrest situation in Myanmar and would work closely with Interpol to keep tabs of the situation there.

 

"I am paying close attention to the matter. Whatever is happening there is affecting the sentiments of Myanmar nationals residing here also," he said.

 

Commenting on the recent shooting of the two politicians from Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state in Kuala Lumpur last week, Khalid said police had no right to block anyone from entering the country without a sound reason.

 

"If they are entering the country with proper documentation and according to the laws then we cannot bar them from entering unless the authorities have a good reason to deny them entry.

 

"However, we do not encourage politicians from other countries to hold their meetings here."

 

Khalid said police will closely monitor the daily activities of foreign politicians when they were in the country.

 

However, he said there was no necessity for the police to assign policemen to protect these foreign politicians.

 

On Feb 7, it was reported that two Myanmar politicians from a western state driven by deadly communal violence were fired upon by a shooter on a motorcycle in a busy shopping area in Kuala Lumpur late Wednesday night.

 

The report said several shots were fired at a car carrying them and several companions, but no one was injured.  

 

The pair, Aye Maung and Aye Thar Aung are from the Arakan National Party, which represents the mostly Buddhist Rakhine, the largest ethnic group in Myanmar's western Rakhine state.

 

The incident has been raising concerns that the religious strife in Myanmar may spill over to Myanmar's neighbors.

 

Khalid was speaking at a press conference in Bukit Aman today after a meeting with representatives from the National Professorial Council.

 

Also present were Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin, PDRM National Key Result Area Secretariat chairman Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob, National Professororial Council president Datuk Seri Zakri Abdul Hamid and its deputy president Datuk Shamsul Amri.

 

Khalid said police had since set up a special work force headed by Ayub Yaakob, to liaise with the Council and work out a formula to enhance  national unity and the effectiveness of the police force.

 

On a separate issue, Khalid rubbished claims that the leader of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has been entering Malaysia.

 

"It is just a rumour. As far as I concerned, the leader of the group is ill in bed," he added.

 

He assured that the police will work closely with other departments such as the Malaysian Armed Forces to closely monitor the border security in East Malaysia.

 

"By doing so, I believe Sarawak as well as Eastern Sabah will well protected."

 

Recently, there were speculations saying that the leader of MNLF has been entering Sarawak as a move to reclaim Sabah and Sarawak from the Malaysian government.

 

 

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/shooting-of-two-myanmar-politicians-police-monitoring-situation-closely/