The police have been questioned for their inaction against red shirts leader Mohd Ali Baharom over his alleged threat against Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah.

"More than 48 hours have lapsed, and why still no action has been taken against Ali Tinju?" Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching asked today.

She was referring to Mohd Ali, better known as Ali Tinju, who was reported by Free Malaysia Today on Wednesday as making threatening remarks at Maria Chin, saying she “may no longer walk this earth” (tidak akan berjalan di atas bumi).

"His words are tantamount to a death threat.

"By saying that 'even if I have to spend 10 years in prison, I don't mind', it means that Ali Tinju is aware that what he intends to do on Maria Chin is a crime.

"However, our police have failed to take any action against him until now," the MP said in a statement.

Teo (photo) said the police inaction against Ali Tinju was in stark contrast to that against critics of the government, who are often promptly detained and questioned.

"In contrast, when a 24-year-old university undergraduate threatened to bomb (Prime Minister) Najib Razak’s helicopter in 2012, he was immediately detained for questioning.

"Last month, a team of 14 police and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) officers raided the house of a pregnant woman for insulting (Najib's wife) Rosmah Mansor.

"Earlier in July, an elderly man was arrested for sharing a photo in a WhatsApp group that the police claimed was insulting to Najib," the MP said.

Protection to all

Teo said if someone had used Ali Tinju's words against the prime minister or his wife, "that person would be immediately arrested by our police".

She said the police inaction was inexcusable as their silence "is equal to encouraging thugs like Ali Tinju to take the law into their own hands".

Whether or not the authorities agree with the forthcoming Bersih rally on Nov 19 was not the issue, Teo said.

"Even if the police do not agree with Bersih, Maria Chin, as a Malaysian, deserves all the protection promised under the laws, that is to live free from fear, violence and abuse."

Report lodged

In a related development, Student Unity Front president Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi lodged a police report this morning against Ali Tinju and he called on the police to investigate.

Asheeq made the report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, accompanied by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and former Batu Kawan Umno division vice-chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan.

Recounting the Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association president's threatening comments against Maria Chin as reported, Asheeq said, "These are the words of an army veteran."

He added in a statement: "This is something that is extremely shameful particularly for the Armed Forces, because Ali Tinju has issued a threat against a woman, in his capacity as an army veteran.

"I urge Ali Tinju to act more maturely and not behave like a kid as he is doing now."

Asheeq called on the police to investigate Ali Tinju under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and endangering the life of a woman.

Teresa Kok on her Facebook later lamented that neither the inspector-general of police nor the home minister has issued any statement concerning Ali Tinju's threats.