[COLUMNIST] We see ‘light at the end of tunnel’ in police corruption fight

THE two positions that are highly scrutinised – the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Both positions come with high responsibilities and expectations, as their roles are stressful and amongst the toughest jobs in the public service.

The MACC investigate high-profile corruption cases to reduce leakages and recovering the nation's wealth while the police force is tasked with maintaining law and order, protecting our lives and property. They put their lives on the line in performing their duties to serve the public, rain and shine. At times it seems like it is a thankless job as the plaudits are few and far between for the police personnel who tirelessly perform their duties.

The police force must confront their reality that it has amongst its workforce those who are “poisoning the well”. The rouges need to be weeded out. Their reality is based on the results of the recent arrest of police officers and various surveys conducted on the police force. For example, Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer 2020 results show that the police force in Malaysia is perceived to be one of the most corrupted institutions. The latest Police Corruption Index (PCI), PDRM is ranked 34 out of 100 countries where the most corrupted is the National Police of Honduras (1) while the least corrupted is the Police of Denmark which is ranked (100).

PDRM has many capable leaders within its ranks who are working tirelessly to clean up the force and getting rid of police personnel at every level who have abused their authority or tarnished the force’s image. A few bad apples should not spoil the barrel of apples.

Give credit where credit is due. The new police line-up headed by IGP Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, his deputy Datuk Seri Ayob Khan and Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain who heads the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department, gives Malaysians some light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to crime.

Three of these seniors’ officers walk their talk. The IGP himself is showing good examples when he made a surprise visit to the police stations in Nilai IPD, Mantin and Tambun to meet, advice, review the assignment of officers as well as the victims or complainants.

The federal police Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS), under the leadership of Datuk Seri Azri Ahmad is speeding up their hunt for errant cops.

In order achieve success in confronting their reality, the IGP needs full and sincere support from all the Bukit

Aman's directors, the state chief police officers, the Officer in Charge of the Police Districts as well as well as all other officers, to clean up their act. These supervisors must step up in leading and managing their subordinates.

He told the OCPDs that they would be held accountable if Bukit Aman detects any of their subordinates living extravagantly beyond their positions and salaries and they would be answerable for any crime happens in their districts.

His mission is to restore the force's honour and restore the public trust. The other good idea that must be applauded initiated by the IGP, is the plan for good succession planning to reform the police force by selecting officers who are genuinely qualified for promotions or placements in specific departments to ensure his legacy and continuity. He needs good and capable successors so that his efforts are not derailed.

In the end, if his efforts are derailed, it is PDRM what will be at a loss.

Generally, there are four typologies of police officers around the world — the avoiders (ones who avoid work); enforcers (fond of arresting); idealist (mostly theoretical); and lastly the professional (knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced) which is needed to ensure to handling all situation well.

The government should also consider increasing the budget of the force. This is to financially assist them in providing good infrastructures and facilities in ensuring their comfort by providing a higher quality living quaters, and to show concern for the welfare of the rank-and-file police personnel by reviewing the current benefits and allowances. This is to prevent poor housing becoming a factor that can affect their work productivity and ultimately compromising their integrity.

The rakyat wants to be proud of their police force – one that performs their duties diligently in maintaining law and order whilst protecting the country with the highest level of integrity. Let’s all work together to make their vision a reality. The rakyat too must support our police. And that, I can say with full confidence.

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Datuk Sri Akhbar Satar is the President Association of Certified Fraud Examiners-Malaysia Chapter.

** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.

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