BOARD BACKS CRACKDOWN ON BAD COPS
But Tunku Aziz says it is wrong to suggest police are being targeted
THE Anti-Corruption Advisory Board has taken a stand to support the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its crackdown on rogue police officers who protect criminals.
Its chairman, Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, said the board expected similar crackdowns in other states following its operations in Melaka, where officers believed to be involved in a protection racket were held and vast sums of money found in their possession.
“The advisory board encourages MACC to extend its investigation to the highest level of the police hierarchy, without fear or favour,” he said in a statement issued on the stand taken by the board after its monthly meeting here on May 29.
Tunku Aziz said it was wrong to suggest police were being targeted by MACC as its operations were carried out against all forms of corruption.
“The fight is against corruption in government, business and politics. The advisory board wishes to emphasise that MACC is not against the police; it is — like most of us — against corruption in life. The board would like to say that for every corrupt police officer of whatever rank or designation, there are thousands of the men and women in blue who carry out their thankless, and often dangerous duties cheerfully, in strict observance of their oath of service in the public interest.”
He said the majority in the police force were outraged by the actions of the few nabbed by MACC, but added that the people were grateful for those who rejected corruption.
“The board expresses its appreciation of the support given by the Chief Justice (Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif) for taking a keen interest in ensuring that corruption cases are handled as expeditiously as possible, with due care and attention.
“He has made an important point when he urged judges to mete out sentences in keeping with the seriousness of the offence.”
He said the board recognised that corruption adversely affected the nation and expressed concern over the latest Global Competitiveness Report 2016-2017, which showed that Malaysia had slipped seven places, and was ranked 25 out of 140 countries, compared with its previous placing at No. 18.
“As a major trading nation, our economic wellbeing and survival depends on our competitiveness.
“There is a strong correlation between corruption and competitiveness and, unless we take on corruption head-on, we will be economically marginalised to the detriment of our national highincome aspirations.
“Clearly, international confidence in Malaysia as a preferred investment destination is being tested because of corruption.”