Police to review probe following release of Addy Kana, two policemen over online gambling

KUALA LUMPUR: Police will review investigations into the case of Zaidi Kanapiah or Addy Kana and two policemen following their release from detention under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (POCA) for alleged involvement with an online gambling syndicate.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said his deputy Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani would be pursuing this matter.

“Acryl Sani will call up the officers involved (in investigating the case) for discussion to see if there were weaknesses in the investigations.

“This is to prevent a recurrence (release of suspects under POCA), and I do not want police to be viewed as overzealous in using POCA without a strong case which might victimise someone,” he told a press conference after the handing over of appreciation letters to reject corruption at Bukit Aman today.

Yesterday, a Federal Court bench chaired by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat ordered the three men to be freed after allowing their appeal on a habeas corpus application for immediate release from detention.

Abdul Hamid said investigations involving online gambling syndicates were complicated and police needed to record statements from various parties.

“If there is enough evidence we will proceed to court for prosecution, and police will not be lackadaisical in our work; it (Addy Kana's case) will be reviewed,” he added.

At the ceremony, 25 police officers and lower-rank personnel received letters of appreciation for reporting on corrupt practices.

“The act of rejecting a bribery and reporting this abhorrent activity reflects courage which sometimes is difficult to be done by some people.

“I would like to caution that integrity and compliance of standards in the police force is still at a worrying level, and the arrests of police personnel for corruption and power abuse proves that police would not compromise on such acts,” he added.

Also present were Acryl Sani and senior director of investigation division of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd Razali.

-- BERNAMA