(May 8): The Malaysian Bar has every right to question the police's actions in handling the anti-goods and services tax (GST) protest on May 1, DAP lawmaker Gobind Singh Deo said today.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said earlier today that Bar president Steven Thiru should not question the police's conduct but should instead keep his arguments within a courtroom, citing "separation of powers".

In a statement, the Puchong MP and DAP legal bureau chief said Steven has "every right" to question the police's conduct in the May Day rally as opposed to their lack of action over a protest in front of a church in Taman Medan on April 19.

"Khalid's response to Steven comes across as arrogant and immature," Gobind said.

Gobind stressed that public criticism on the conduct of the police has nothing to with separation of powers and Khalid's argument showed a "shallow understanding" of the concept.

"Steven asked him why his men did not arrest the protesters who held a rally to demand that a church in Petaling Jaya bring down a cross from its facade, but detained those who participated in the anti-GST rally on May 1," said Gobind.

"I call upon the IGP to therefore answer the president of the Bar Council," he added.

The police arrested more than 20 people, including six minors, in the aftermath of the May Day rally, which took place rather peacefully.

However, they did not make any arrests over the incident in Taman Medan where some 50 people protested in front of a church, demanding that it take down a cross as they claimed it could sway the faith of the young Muslims in the area. – The Malaysian Insider