How Powerful is the Deputy IGP?

I wrote a letter to Malaysiakini, which has been published today. The last paragraph was written well before the Prime Minister (PM) called for the independent inquiry. I am glad he has done so, for one cannot trust the police to ever investigate itself, as amply demonstrated by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) or the Deputy Internal Security Minister.

However what have concerned me and many Malaysians have been the defiant statements of the DIGP, who is nothing more than a public servant. He cannot overruled his political boss, namely the PM or the Deputy PM, but he has. And he has done so publicly. I am shocked that the ministers haven't booted him out yet for a very serious political protocal faux pas. In a democracy if a civil servant contradicts his boss, an elected minister, he must resign or be sacked immediately.

Is this man so powerful that he seems to be thumbing his nose at the PM, Deputy PM and other ministers, without fear of any consequences? Indeed, up to now, there isn't any! Are the police so powerful that they have become a force unto themselves, that even the PM or DPM dare not reprimand the DIGP?

Unless the PM takes necessary actions to put this man in his proper place, we'll have trouble. I won't go further than this but you all can use your imagination and remember one of Mao's dictums.