Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today advised Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P. Waytha Moorthy to toe the government line and not issue statements that contradicted government policy.

"He (Waytha Moorthy) should not continue to regard himself as the leader of a non-governmental organisation. He should not be thinking like the leader of Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force). Do not interfere in police work," he told reporters.

Ahmad Zahid was commenting on Waytha Moorthy's alleged questioning of the police explanation that the five suspected gangsters killed in a shootout with the police in Penang last Monday had been shot at point blank range.

Waytha Moorthy had also reportedly said it appeared that the police did not shoot the five dead in self-defence and urged Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to conduct an inquest to determine the cause of death.

Last Monday, police shot dead five gangsters believed to be hired killers who were wanted for murders and attempted murders in Penang, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan.

Ahmad Zahid said the police should be allowed to carry out their work as they knew better.

On the status of the film "New Village", which has yet to get past the Film Censorship Board, Ahmad Zahid said he had yet to get any feedback from the board.

Several non-governmental and political organisations have called for the banning of the film, saying it allegedly glorified the communists.