LIKE NAJIB, IGP ANSWERED NOTHING: Khalid attends ‘tweetup’ to answer 'tough' questions

SHAH ALAM - History was created today when the country’s top cop agreed to be part of an event which saw him mingling with 45 Twitter users.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar graced the “Santai Dengan IGP” event, a “tweetup” or gathering of Twitter users in an informal setting, organised by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Yayasan Pengaman Malaysia.

Casually dressed, but looking smart nonetheless, the IGP joined Twitter users, who included a few veteran newsmen and prominent bloggers, to answer questions and clear the air on several misconceptions the public has had regarding the country’s highest-ranking police officer.

Khalid, in his short speech before the question-and-answer session, said he was excited in the days leading up to this event, knowing that he would be bombarded with questions.

He also noted that today marked two years and three days of him being the nation’s top cop.

“I can say that so far, since I took this job, maintaining public harmony has been the toughest.

“It is very hard to make sure people abide by the rules. We have to balance between the rights of the people to gather and express themselves and to ensure that peace and harmony are maintained.”

Commenting on the most recent street rally held on May 1 to protest against the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Khalid said that it was showing signs of disrupting public peace with acts of vandalism.

“This is a challenge to us. I very strictly follow the law.

“Organisers must abide by the rules put in place. We shall continue to ensure everyone abides by the rules.

“Why no action at the time? If we arrest the organisers during the rally, this might cause chaos. If we arrest the organiser while they are giving a speech, we will see unwanted scenes. That is why we took action after it was all over.”

Later, he also acknowledged that he had been labelled “Ketua Twitter Negara” (“National Twitter Chief”).

“I’ve been told I’m Ketua Twitter Negara, although I don’t really check Twitter that often,” he said to laughter from the crowd.

However, he added that there was ongoing monitoring, particularly of social networks, where many things were “popping up”.

Speaking on the crime rate, Khalid pointed out that it was actually on a downward trend.

“This year, compared to last, it went down 10%. We are committed to ensuring crime does not become widespread.

“But there will always be crime. I think it is safe to say that there is no country in the world without crime. Even Switzerland now has snatch thefts. Don’t believe me? Go ask them.”

Before kicking off the tweetup, Khalid told those attending: “I am a very controversial person, but what to do? I am the IGP. I have to take care of the peace.”

Later, during the question-and-answer session, Malaysian Digest chief executive officer Engku Emran Engku Zainal Abidin pointed out to the IGP that while the number of crime cases may be going down, the public did not feel safe.

“I agree that the ‘feel safe factor’ is still not so good. We have a communications problem. We are looking at that to ensure we communicate effectively. Because now social media is faster than us,” Khalid said.

Engku Emran’s sentiment was echoed by veteran newsman Datuk Nuraina Samad, who said that she, too, does not feel safe stepping out of the house, even more so after she herself was once the victim of a robbery.

Both Engku Emran and Nuraina told the IGP that example should be made out of former OCS (police station chief) Inspector Mohd Jamil Mohd Khalid of the Taman Tun Dr Ismail police station, who would frequently engaged with the public, putting their minds at ease.

“People are not concerned with numbers. Every house must have CCTV, burglar alarms to reclaim security. The burden is on the people to be safe.

“What they (public) see is the news online and people are easily frightened,” Nuraina told the IGP.

Another question was posed to the IGP on whether he found his Twitter presence effective.

“I don’t know whether me being on Twitter is effective or not, but I see that people are not as daring as they used to be,” Khalid said, in referring to irresponsible remarks being made on social networks.

“I’m not going after everybody. I’m going after public figures who say things that can threaten the harmony. I will continue doing that.

“If I were to call for action against every Tom, Dick or Harry, that will be very tiring. But public figures with a considerable amount of followers … these are the ones we need to take action against.”

After the event, those who attended looked happy at being given the chance to engage directly with the man behind the Twitter handle @KBAB51.

“I am happy that the session was a success. I hope it will bring about a positive outcome.

“I am also happy that the IGP has agreed to have more sessions like this on a more regular basis.

“He wants to engage with the public so they know what is happening straight from him,” said Pengaman general manager Azura Izham when met at the event. - Therakyatpost