Anwar: Send Zahid to law school

PETALING JAYA: Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi needs to be schooled in basic law, said PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim in response to the former’s “shoot first” policy in dealing with suspected gang members.

“Zahid needs to attend basic training on basic law,” Anwar said, at a press conference held at the party headquarters today.

Over the weekend, Zahid was reported saying that the police need not give warning to criminals before opening fire on them.

“I think the best way is that we no longer compromise with them. There is no need to give them any more warning. If (we) get the evidence, (we) shoot first,” Zahid was reported as saying.

Anwar described Zahid’s blanket statement as “very dangerous” as it gives an impression that the police could act arbitrarily with no regard to the rule of law.

“Of course when you’re talking about police dealing with armed criminals, the authorities have the right to defend themselves.

“But you cannot give a blanket statement to shoot first. It is a very dangerous statement,” said the former deputy prime minister.

Najib’s silence upsetting Malaysians

Asked to comment on the surge of racist and religious slurs being uttered by government leaders, Anwar attributed it to the Umno polls, scheduled for Oct 19.

“Lately, the issue of racism and religious bigotry has escalated. Why blame the Chinese and the opposition for your faults?

“Who squandered the funds of the people? Who are the rich Malays? Who are the one that get the big contracts? They are all Umno cronies,” said Anwar.

He added that there was a need for all races to work together to overcome racial prejudice in the country.

On Umno, Anwar said that the leaders have this impression that “the more Malay they become, the more support they get”.

“And Prime Minister Najib (Tun Razak) has said nothing on the racial slurs, causing anger among young Malaysians.”