IGP warns officers who failed to act against illegal gambling dens
KUALA LUMPUR: Police officers who turn a blind eye or fail to act against illegal gambling dens within their jurisdiction will be dealt with, says Malaysia’s top cop.
The warning came a day after Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Ali Ahmad was transferred along with several other officers in the district for failing to act against the activities.
Last Friday, Bukit Aman and state police launched a surprise raid there and crippled 10 gambling dens situated within a 300m radius of each other.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun himself joined the raid which saw the seizure of more than 280 machines and arrest of 113 people.
Mohamad Fuzi confirmed that the OCPD as well as several other officers were transferred.
“I hope this will act as a lesson for others. I am not saying that they are wrong but it is their responsibility.
“Because they chose not to comply, we have to take serious action,” he told reporters at the Police Academy.
Mohamad Fuzi was attending a seminar there on Facing Challenges in Modern Policing with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).
He added that he would be calling all 157 OCPDs nationwide for a meeting on the matter next week.
Meanwhile, he said the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) had been discussed at length internally and even touched on during the seminar.
Mohamad Fuzi said the police would be sending a proposal with their own recommendations.
“We are not resisting the IPCMC but there are certain issues that need to be ironed out before it can be implemented,” he said.
Mohamad Fuzi also said that they would collaborate with Suhakam when necessary to find a solution to issues that arose with the implementation of IPCMC.
On the leaked letter that was sent to the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency by the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation, he said investigations were almost completed.
“We will refer the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutor’s office tomorrow and await further instructions,” Mohamad Fuzi said.