DSP: Ronnie Liu arrested for arguing with police

A major prosecution witness in the case against Selangor executive councillor (exco) Ronnie Liu today admitted the politician was speaking on behalf of customers of a hotel when he was arrested on Nov 2, 2007.

DSP Lim Meng Seah, who was Subang district Criminal Investigation Department chief at the time, made the admission after being shown his own police report which he lodged against Liu (picture) after the arrest.

The Selangor exco is accused of abetting clients and customers of Chile Hotel in intentionally preventing Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) assistant enforcement officer Hadzim Zulkapli from closing the hotel, which was suspected of carrying out vice activities.

In another major contradiction, Lim also admitted that Liu was arrested for acting aggressively, arguing with the police and for refusing an order to leave the hotel and not for preventing any MPSJ officer from carrying out his duty.

Lim also admitted during cross-examination by defence lawyer Gobind Sing Deo that he was in the dark over what Liu was actually charged with.

Lim said he went to the hotel after receiving a call from his subordinate that a DAP politician was causing a disturbance by asking customers and the public not to leave.

Upon reaching at 6.30pm, he saw that the lobby was noisy and filled with many people including police and MPSJ officers.

Lim said he saw Liu speaking in a corner and asking the crowd to ignore MPSJ orders to vacate the hotel.

He subsequently directed his subordinates to order all members of the public to leave the hotel but said customers could stay and negotiate with MPSJ.

However he said Liu also told the crowd that both police and MPSJ enforcement officers did not have the powers to ask them to leave.

Under further cross examination, Lim agreed it was not fair for the customers to leave the hotel while their belongings were still in their room, while other had paid to stay for an extended period.

He agreed that he arrested Liu for disobeying his orders and said he did not see him preventing the MPSJ officer from carrying out his duty.

Magistrate Mohammad Ibrahim Mohammad Ghulam scheduled the trial to continue on April 5 and April 6.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Noorin Badaruddin and Azlina Rasdi appeared for the prosecution.



comments

Ronnie Liu was just doing his duty as the Representative of his constitution. Is it criminally wrong to argue with Police? Are police officers above the law that no one should argue with. Or is it that Ronnie is from DAP and he must be treat harshly. If Ronnie is from BN the police will not hesitate to protect him when he goes around doing his offical duty. This is the disparity between an Elected Representatives of BN and PR. There is no respect for PR Representatives whereas those crooks and cheats from BN, are given 1st class treatment.


Now you can get arrested for arguing with police? The police pay our salaries or we pay theirs?