PETALING JAYA: Pakatan rakyat (PR) leaders called for police cooperation to ensure the credibility of leaders in the coalition, following the Home Ministry's allegation of extremists and communists climbing ranks within PR component parties.
Opposition leaders said if the allegation was true, agencies under the ministry should work with political parties to get rid of such threats instead of turning the issue into media fodder.
PKR vice--president Nurul Izzah Anwar said although memberships are vetted through programmes conducted by the Keadilan academy or divisions, the party did not have access to criminal records.
"We would be appreciative of the police's help in this matter," she told The Malay Mail. She also called for evidence to be furnished to help PR identify such culprits.
"The credibility of our security apparatus has so badly been tarnished that mere allegations can't be believed just like that.
"A non--politicised and professional security force would go a long way in assisting us in identifying such threats in our midst," she said.
Therefore, she said the allegations that the ranks of PAS and DAP were infiltrated by extremist groups should not be politicised.
"It's also disconcerting and puzzling to note that JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) and the Reds (Communists) have not been detected infiltrating Umno, despite the proudly announced official ties between Umno Youth and the Youth Wing of the CCP (Communist Party of China)," Nurul Izzah said.
Last Thursday, Bernama reported Special Branch chief assistant director of the E2(M) national social extremist threat division, Datuk Mohd Sofian Md Makinuddin, as saying that JI terrorists and former communists have infiltrated the ranks of PR parties.
He had said several leaders from PKR and the PR--friendly Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) were believed to have attended "secret meetings" with former Malayan Communist Party leaders in Bangkok and southern Thailand.
Initially admitting he could not confirm the allegations, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein then said any allegations involving deviant religious teachings or communist elements in society, be it in the Opposition or the government, will be investigated.
PAS vice--president Salahuddin Ayub echoed Nurul Izzah's sentiments, saying the Special Branch should engage with the coalition if it has evidence.
"As PAS vice--president, my office is open to provide evidence So, bring all the evidence and let us discuss this," he said.