COPS WARNED TO FIGHT CLEAN
Zahid declares he will come down hard on those involved in match-fixing
DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday vowed he would come down hard on those involved in match-fixing in the 2018 Malaysia League.
He issued the warning three times at the launch of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) football team, popularly known as the Cops.
“Players, coaches, managers and even referees will not be spared from the full brunt of the law.
“This is Zahid Hamidi’s promise and it is not merely a promise. This is a promise that I will definitely act upon,” he said to loud applause from the floor.
In this respect, Zahid, who is also the home minister, called on the Commercial Crime Investigation Department to act swiftly against those involved in match-fixing.
“Despite b eing paid high salaries and enjoying benefits, we know there are those in the football industry who have become too greedy.
“Their days are numbered and they (those involved in match-fixing) will not get away. This is my promise.”
Zahid also announced incentives for Police should they emerge as champions of the Premier League.
“If the Cops become champions, I will give the team a bonus of RM500,000.
“If the team secure second place, a bonus of RM250,000 will be given,” he said.
For Police’s head coach Zulhamizan Zakaria, Zahid said, he would get a bonus worth RM100,000 should he manage to make them Premier League champions.
“So Zulhamizan, please do not waste this opportunity,” he told the head coach.
Zahid had also challenged the Cops to grab the best fairplay award, win the 2018 Premier League title and qualify for the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup finals.
“I have been told that the Cops’ management has targeted at least one championship title for this year and this is a benchmark that must be taken seriously,” said Zahid.
Zahid said he believed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim, who is also the Police football team president, would attend all their matches and training sessions as a show of support towards the team.