THE police brass can speak till kingdom come. Dr Mahathir Mohamad can give as many press conferences as he desires.

But here is the reality: until the clutch of outstanding cases under police purview is resolved, many right-minded Malaysians are going to treat with disdain any justification or “evidence” against those accused of trying to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Until there is justice in the cases of Zakir Naik, M. Indira Gandhi, sex clips, and Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat’s disappearance, there will be talk of selective police action.

No one wins in this climate of distrust and credibility deficit – most certainly not police and the Dr Mahathir-led government.

There are examples the world over that show law enforcement authorities struggle to command respect and moral authority when laws are not enforced uniformly, and when groups believe that their concerns are not given the same weight by the force.

Despite the plethora of evidence that supports action being taken against Zakir over his remarks on Malaysia’s Indians and Chinese, the investigation into the preacher seems to be moving at a glacial pace.

If that is not offensive enough, Dr Mahathir’s party continues to fete this divisive individual.

Understandably, some feel that the authorities are making light of non-Muslims’ feelings by allowing Zakir’s continued presence in the country. And please, Dr Mahathir, do not insult Malaysians by saying no country wants Zakir.

Perhaps, some in the Pakatan Harapan government believe that the non-Muslim vote is dispensable, and that the pact will be re-elected come the 15th general election solely on the Malay vote.

That would be an unwise move.

It would be unwise, too, for Dr Mahathir and his friends to think that Malaysians have forgotten their promises to make the rule of law and justice the cornerstones of this government.

Justice demands that all cases be treated with the same seriousness by law enforcement agencies, even those that could be politically sensitive.

Until that happens, any police action against one group will be met with angst and anger.

Until that happens, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador and his officers can keep shouting from the rooftops about professionalism and fairness, but few will buy that talk.

For multiracial Malaysia to thrive, everyone’s dignity must be respected. – October 14, 2019.