He claimed that the employer was allowed to give a media press conference so that he could apologise to Muslims and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Zahid said the move had given the wrong message and Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador must explain why he had allowed the suspect to be given this special treatment.

“Hamid cannot keep quiet because, while his (the suspect) remand order had not expired and investigations were ongoing, two police officers were specifically tasked to guard the suspect so that he could meet the media.

“Why must the suspect apologise to Muslims and to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong? Could it be that with this apology, his criminal assault case will be closed and the suspect will then be free?” he asked in a statement today.

“I wish to stress to the IGP that the rakyat, especially Muslims, want to see the suspect charged immediately.

“Muslims are not desperate for his apology,” he added.