‘MOVE AGAINST CORRUPT COPS WILL BOOST PUBLIC TRUST’

IGP’s action ensures criminal activities are no longer protected, says MACC

HARIZ MOHD

KUALA LUMPUR harizm@nst.com.my

THE Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission has lauded federal police for their swift action against their own men for protecting drug syndicates.

MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad said yesterday, by putting corrupt policemen behind bars, the force was ensuring that criminal activities were no longer protected in the country.

“I believe that this move by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar will increase the people’s trust and confidence in the police force.

“When corrupt officials, who collude with criminals and organised crime organisations, are put behind bars, criminal activities can no longer be protected.

“This move will also pave the way for the nation’s prosperity, as well as ensuring its security and the citizens would not be compromised now and in years to come,” he told the New Sunday Times yesterday.

Dzulkifli was commenting on an exclusive report on the frontpage of the New Straits Times yesterday on the arrests of 16 policemen, including several high-ranking officers, in a special operation.

“I congratulate the IGP on his bold move in the latest cleanup of the police force, by taking its corrupt officers into custody.”

The special operation saw the policemen rounded up under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) on suspicion of being on the payroll of drug syndicates.

It was reported that many of the suspects, including officers with the ranks of deputy superintendent and inspector, were attached to the Narcotics Department.

Dzulkifli’s deputy (operations), Datuk Azam Baki, said the commission was ready to extend its assistance to the police if needed.

“For the time being, MACC will not meddle (in the investigation) as police had initiated it against their own.

“The use of Sosma also indicates the force’s seriousness in handling this matter, as it is a law that is used only for sensitive cases that involve threats to national security.

“But, if police request for MACC to cooperate with them, we will go in,” he said. Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah with heart patients Augustina Vanathaiah, 2, and Arfan Idris, 6, at the ‘Golf Digest Corporate Challenge in Aid of IJN Foundation’ prize-giving ceremony yesterday. Augustina and Arfan received donations from Institute Jantung Negara Foundation (IJNF) at the Kuala Lumpur Tournament Players Club. Present are IJNF Board of Trustee member Datin Julini Mohd Ali (third from left), Golf Digest Corporate Challenge chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Putih (left) and the children’s family members.

I congratulate the IGP on his bold move in the latest clean-up of the police force, by taking its corrupt officers into custody.