Police escort for Dr M now only upon request

Kota Kinabalu: Police will now accord Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad traffic police escorts only upon request for official functions."We will consider traffic police escorts for Tun Mahathir on a case-by-case basis,' Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said.

Khalid said he decided to withdraw the police outriders privilege for the former prime minister because he was attending functions that were "anti-government or illegal" such as the Bersih and anti-GST rallies.

"It is my decision to withdraw the outriders as he (Dr Mahathir) was attending illegal functions. It does not make sense as law enforcers to escort someone to an anti-government or an illegal rally.

"But, I did not withdraw his personal bodyguard who is a policeman from the UTK (Unit Tindakan Khas) for his personal safety," Khalid said.

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"Why should we provide traffic police escort to a person who is going to functions which are against the law,' he said.

Khalid said Mahathir could write to him for outriders for all official government functions.

"I hope Mahathir understands our position on the matter,' he added.

Khalid warned others not to provide escort services to the former premier as they were not trained and would be endangering their own lives and those of other road users.

"I know some people are saying they want to provide traffic escort services. We will take action against such people who want to become outriders,' he said adding that there were sufficient laws, including the Road Transport Act, that can be used against them.

He said motorists need not follow the "orders" of the private escorts who were usually riding the big bikes.

Meanwhile, opposition PKR said the decision is "improper, unreasonable and unlawful".

N Surendran said it was no concern of the IGP what events Mahathir chose to attend as it was his democratic right to go where he chose to.

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The escorts, the Padang Serai lawmaker added, were provided in view of Mahathir's status as the country's former prime minister and for his safety.

He also wondered how such events breached the Federal Constitution.

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