Johor police chief: There were attempts to get me

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay revealed that he received threats after the police successfully crippled human and drug trafficking activities on the state’s east coast recently.

However, he said that such threats were part and parcel of a policeman’s work, especially when dealing with crime syndicates and their criminal activities.

He said he would not back off but would instead continue to go after those involved in such crimes.

“There were attempts to get me. The threats came through WhatsApp messages and even on Facebook,” he said.

“This is normal when dealing with criminals. The most important thing is to be extra careful,” he said during a press conference at the Johor Police Contingent Headquarters here.

He also said that police were now looking at human and drug trafficking activities on the west coast of Johor.

“About 95% of the criminal activities on the east coast have been wiped out and we are looking to make more arrests soon.”

He also warned that errant enforcement officers would be handed over to the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission and investigated for criminal activities.

If the case involved drugs, these errant officers would be investigated under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, he said.

Disciplinary action would also be taken against them, he said, adding that the police were still looking for the remaining members of the corrupted enforcement officers who were involved in the crippled human and drug trafficking activities.

Comm Ayob also said based on their information, the syndicate had moved to Batam, Indonesia.

A total of 40 suspects were arrested when the state police smashed a syndicate specialising in human trade on June 4.

In the operation, police also caught 22 enforcement officers – 14 policemen, five Armed Forces personnel, including two officers and three Immigration Department officers – who were believed to have collaborated with the syndicate.