He said: "We have not given them a time frame as we do not want any hasty work... the probe must be thorough and the result credible."
While agreeing that the investigations into the alleged arsenic poisoning of Anwar must be thorough, it is shocking that a week after a "special police team" had started investigations, Abdullah or the special team of investigators is unable to indicate the time frame needed to complete the investigations, knowing the intensity of national and international interest in its outcome.
The reply by the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Norian Mai three days ago that "All our officers are specialised officers….This is a normal investigation under existing procedures" when asked whether "specialised" and high-ranking police officers would be appointed to the special team of investigators is not calculated to inspire confidence in the police investigation, especially as up to now the IGP has refused to announce the officers responsible for the probe.
Abdullah should be aware of the national and international suspicion that the police would be able to conduct an independent and professional investigation into the alleged poisoning of Anwar, not only as a result of the police failure in last year’s investigation into Anwar’s black eye but because of the allegations publicly made by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and other Barisan Nasional Ministers that Anwar’s arsenic poisoning was "self-inflicted".
For this reason, Abdullah should boldly take up the widespread call for the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Anwar’s poisoning which will demonstrate that the authorities is prepared for a thorough inquiry and has nothing to hide.
(17/9/99)