Putrajaya ends Dr Mahathir's bodyguard service

Muzliza Mustafa Muzliza Mustafa Updated 6 years ago · Published on 1 Nov 2017 8:01PM · 4 Comments

A Special Actions Unit (UTK) demonstration. The unit's personal bodyguard service is a privilege given to all former prime ministers. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 1, 2017.

PUTRAJAYA today withdrew the Special Action Unit (UTK) service provided to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The personal bodyguard service, a privilege given to all former prime ministers, was withdrawn a year after the government ended the contracts of Dr Mahathir’s cook and office assistant.

Dr Mahathir shared the news to his two million followers through his official Facebook page at 4pm today.

“Today, the services of UTK were withdrawn. The struggle continues,” said the 92-year-old chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

The post has garnered 4,500 likes and has been shared 150 times so far.

Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar touched on the issue in Parliament during the Budget 2018 debate today and questioned the government’s move in removing the service.

“Today, there is no more UTK. Only a policeman that acts as his bodyguard is maintained. Is this done for political revenge?” asked Mahfuz.

He said that the service should not be withdrawn as Dr Mahathir had served as the country’s prime minister once and the service is a privilege given to all former top leaders.

“Dr Mahathir only has issues with Barisan Nasional and (prime minister) Najib Razak, not the country. Without the protection that he is supposed to have, Dr Mahathir is now open to threat,” said Mahfuz.

Last year, Dr Mahathir’s police outriders were withdrawn after his privileges were revoked following his attendance at anti-government events.

Former Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar had said that Dr Mahathir would have to apply for traffic police escorts and he would get them only if he attends official government functions. – November 1, 2017.

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Comments

  • Open to threats is exactly what they want. So much for all that talk about religious values and brotherhood, revenge is the order of the day.

    Posted 6 years ago by Xuz ZG · Reply

  • This is what happens when you proposed a budget with huge deficit. Any opportunity to save, however minuscule, will be grabbed. Even to spend on a cook, a driver or commando unit can put a burden on the budget deficit. More like seringgit-wise, billion-ringgit foolish. hahaha

    Posted 6 years ago by Ben Gapowey · Reply

  • A personal vendetta is not what a leader should be proud of. In fact it just shows how unworthy a leader is for being a leader. Shameful.

    Posted 6 years ago by Awang Top · Reply

  • Can you imagine a former POTUS having his SS detail withdrawn? Embarrassing..

    Posted 6 years ago by Stephen Tan · Reply