These alleged offences were apparently committed in August and September last year.

The fact that no immediate charges were brought against the four following the commission of these alleged offences would suggest that these charges are politically motivated. It cannot escape the conclusion of thinking Malaysians that the BN government dared not make any move against their political opponents before the general elections were concluded for fear of repercussions and reprisals resulting from political backlash.

By instituting action only against political opponents of the BN, it only confirms and strengthens the belief that the BN is not bothered by public opinion or international perception that what is taking place now is nothing short of a political vendetta.

It is obvious that the BN is harassing the opposition; it is clear that it is determined to get rid of Harakah; it is very apparent that it is trying to stifle dissent and go after its critics.

If the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Home Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the City Chief police officer Deputy Comm Kamaruddin Ali are to be believed that the four "arrests were results of investigations following police reports lodged by several people", then it is legitimate to ask the Home Minister and the police why no action has been instituted against BN ministers following police reports also lodged by several people:

• Perverse and adverse advertisements were persistently published in the various newspapers to create fear and terror among the voters to vote for the BN otherwise there would be mayhem and anarchy in the country. Police reports have been made against these advertisements.

• Dr Mahathir had uttered words during the course of the election and even before which are reckoned to be contemptuous, seditious and libellous. Police reports have been lodged against him.

• Dr Seri Anwar Ibrahim had made several police reports backed by documentary evidence alleging corruption by Rafidah Aziz and Daim Zainuddin.

Why is it that our police are unable to act on these reports against the ministers as compared to other reports made against the opposition? There seems to be some form of discrimination by the police which is apparently very glaring.

It is obvious that the BN practises democracy in name only.