Former top cops: Country needs preventive laws
‘They help maintain peace and order’
Laws like the Emergency Ordinance (EO) and the Internal Security Act which allowed detention without trial were crucial tools for maintaining peace and order in the country, said former top police officers.
Not only did such laws serve as a deterrent to serious crimes, they also helped in situations where witnesses were afraid to go to court, said former Selangor CID chief B.D. Henry.
Henry, who retired from the force in 1986, said witnesses who feared to testify in court were more willing to speak when they were assured that their identities would be kept secret.
Under the EO, police had to record statements from a minimum of five witnesses.
“The public is of the perception that police can misuse these laws to detain innocent people. They must understand that there was a long and stringent process involved before a person could be detained under the EO,” he said yesterday.
A case filed under the EO was first prepared at the district level before it was sent to the contingent headquarters to be reviewed by a special panel.
It was then dispatched to Bukit Aman where it was once again reviewed before it was sent to the Home Ministry, Henry said.
“The detention order could only be issued with the approval of the ministry,” he added.
Former CID director Tan Sri Mohd Zaman Khan said such laws were needed, but agreed that a mechanism had to be put in place to prevent abuse.
“A lot of verification was needed before a detention order was approved – not all cases were approved by the ministry,” he said.
He added that police personnel should be provided with more training and that more men be put on the ground to conduct snap checks around the city.
Former Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Khoo Ah See said criminals had become more daring and brazen since the EO was abolished.
“People should not be too idealistic in opposing the EO while wanting hardened criminals off the streets at the same time,” he said, criticising “armchair crime busters” who had belittled the police and pushed for the aboliton of the EO.
“It is not a surprise that serious crimes such as shootings are rampant in the absence of EO,” he said.
Former Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Dell Akhbar Khan said it was ironic that police were being blamed when criminals were “reigning supreme” after the repeal of the EO.
“Detention without trial is a serious matter but the police have sufficient regulations and procedures to prevent abuse.
“While there are cases of alleged abuse, the successes outweigh the shortcomings.
“In instances of abuse, the police have always taken action without fear or favour,” he said.