Allow front-liners to receive simple gifts

I REFER to your report on May 28 of the Kuching deputy police chief stating that police personnel should not accept gifts or gratuity from members of the public as this may compromise their integrity or give rise to misconceptions against the force.

I fully agree with that but in this case, we were not talking about expensive gifts that would cause anyone to be compromised. They were just chocolates. Even Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah have accepted gifts of food and flowers.

I know a friend in Klang Valley, who used to buy nasi lemak for the police on duty on Hari Raya Aidilfitri as an expression of appreciation for them, while the rest of us enjoyed our holidays.

Another would go on Christmas Eve with cakes and mandarin oranges during the Chinese New Year to the accident and emergency department at hospitals. The doctors and nurses deserve some goodies too.

Last year, we did the same in Miri. The youths from my church chose Hari Raya Aidiladha and we brought food to all on duty at police stations, the fi re station, and Miri Hospital. The items were just soft drinks, cookies, and snacks, which would not cause anyone to be compromised.

This is an appeal for the police chief to allow the people to express our appreciation to the police with simple gifts of food and for the people to express our appreciation to front-liners who have to work on public holidays.

The # chocs4cops movement can happen more often and be extended to other departments.