Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed that he has withdrawn the police outriders privilege for former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad because he was attending functions that were “anti-government or illegal” such as the Bersih rally.
“It is my decision to withdraw the outriders as he (Dr Mahathir) was attending illegal functions,” Khalid was quoted of saying at an event in Kota Kinabalu. “It does not make sense as law enforcers to escort someone to an anti-government or an illegal rally.”
Police will now only accord Dr Mahathir traffic police escorts only upon request and “on a case-by-case basis,’’ said the top cop.
Khalid has also warned private companies against offering escort services to the former premier as they were not trained to provide such services.
“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.
