Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has admitted that the suspect alleged to be the main intermediary in a police protection racket in Malacca is "known" to him.

Khalid was responding to claims made by whistleblower site Sarawak Report that the suspect, Gopinathan Krishnan, was in direct telephone contact with him.

"Yes, he is known to me and he is also known to my family," he said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Asked whether Gopinathan was a family friend, Khalid pointed out that he had already admitted that the man was known to his family.

"Why do you want to ask to that extent? Now you want to ask how close we are, whether we hold hands, whether we kiss? Be reasonable," the top cop said.

As many as 12 suspects, most of them police officers, were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in a swoop last month, codenamed Ops Gopi.

Sarawak Report claimed that Gopinathan played a pivotal role in managing the police protection racket across gambling dens and prostitution houses in Malacca.

Khalid said at the press conference today that he was incapable of knowing everything that was being done behind his back by those who know him and his family.

'Those acquaintances have to answer'

However, he stressed that those acquaintances would have to "answer for it" if they were found to have been involved in illegal activities.

"My officers will not be in cahoots with those who are involved in activities that are against the law," he said.

"In this case, this Gopi, if he has done something illegal... My officers and I will fully co-operate with the MACC in this investigation," he added.

Sarawak Report cited information from Khalid's phone bill in claiming that Gopinathan had purportedly called Khalid in February. Gopinathan had also purportedly made calls to Khalid's son from January to April this year.

However, the inspector-general of police pointed out that his phone number was available to the public.

"Everybody calls me, sends messages to me. (Sometimes) I don't even know who is calling me," he said.

Hitting out at Sarawak Report, Khalid expressed his belief that the site has "bad intentions" when it comes to him and the police in particular.

Claiming that the site had made various allegations against him and the police, Khalid cited its claim that he had gone for a junket in Rome, Italy, using taxpayers' money.

"I was actually accompanying the Pahang crown prince to take our two choppers there, but they (Sarawak Report) said I was enjoying myself and (that I) was on holiday.

"And then they accused me of giving a government contract to my family, which is untrue.

"I won't be disappointed and weakened by these allegations because I know they are all untrue. They can continue doing that," he said.

Last year, Sarawak Report claimed that Khalid had led at least 10 police officers and their wives on an “official trip” to Italy.

The site also revealed that Khalid’s daughter, Juwiza Khalid, as well as his brother-in-law Mohd Isa Hussin, are owners of Nilai Arms & Ammunition (NAA), a company that sells guns.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi denied that the company had obtained any firearms contracts from the government.