No internal probe – straight to court for errant cops

JOHOR BARU: The Johor police will no longer conduct internal investigations on misconduct, in particular bribery, involving its officers and personnel.

Its chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said he had given ample warning to his men about the matter.

“Police arrested a 32-year-old L/ kpl from Seri Alam police district headquarters on Monday after a report was lodged against the latter for demanding RM100 as a bribe from a lorry driver.

“The personnel allegedly committed the offence while on duty at a roadblock along Jalan Johor BaruKota Tinggi near the Malaysian Army Combat Training Centre (Pulada) here,” he added.

Comm Ayob revealed this in a press conference held at the state police headquarters yesterday.

He pointed out that the suspect was being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion.

Comm Ayob said that in July, three traffic police personnel were also arrested for extorting money from a lorry driver.

“I have warned my men that if there are any bribery cases among them, we will arrest and charge them in court as there will not be any internal investigations,” he added.

In an unrelated case, Comm

Ayob said they were still tracing two policemen who failed to show up at the Kota Tinggi Sessions Court last Thursday to face charges of abetting a human smuggling syndicate.

He added that the arrest warrants for the two suspects had already been issued, but they have yet to surrender.

“We will publish their details and pictures. Where can they run? We have all of their details, including where their families are,” he said.

On Aug 27, six enforcement personnel, including an army major, were charged at the Sessions Court for allegedly assisting a human smuggling syndicate known as Geng Otong.

Besides the officer, an army sergeant and four police personnel with the ranks of corporal and lance corporal were also charged.

The two policemen were supposed to show up at the court as well but they failed to do so, prompting the court to issue arrest warrants against them.