Too many unanswered questions on police cartel claims – Terence Fernandez
Latest drama does not help address PDRM’s crisis of confidence
When Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador revealed that there are cartels within the police force, not many were taken by surprise. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, March 31, 2021
THE relationship between the police and the underworld has often been the subject of much discussion for as long as one can remember. From triad members in the ranks, policemen who are compromised, to even underworld bosses dictating promotions and transfers in Bukit Aman – these make for riveting conversation and gossip.
Those of us in the media who have covered the crime beat have been regaled by stories of these unholy alliances.
One that comes immediately to mind is the case of Tengku Goh, the underworld boss in Johor where then inspector-general of police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan was placed in the spotlight due to his “ties” with the former.
That the former commercial crimes director Datuk Ramli Yusuff had made shocking remarks on the “mafia-controlled PDRM” should have been sufficient for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
However, the government of the day in 2012, in its wisdom, decided that this was not necessary.
The police were already up in arms over a proposal for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) – they still are – so what more an RCI!
In the words of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in an interview he had given me when he was the prime minister: “There was so much headache in implementing the IPCMC. See how much opposition I had received?”
Of course, these specific events aside, to prove that the police-underworld link is true is another story, as the mention of any names could result in a legal suit, a charge of criminal defamation, or – dare I say – a worse fate for some?
Those of us in the media who have covered the crime beat have been regaled by stories of these unholy alliances.
One that comes immediately to mind is the case of Tengku Goh, the underworld boss in Johor where then inspector-general of police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan was placed in the spotlight due to his “ties” with the former.
That the former commercial crimes director Datuk Ramli Yusuff had made shocking remarks on the “mafia-controlled PDRM” should have been sufficient for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
However, the government of the day in 2012, in its wisdom, decided that this was not necessary.
The police were already up in arms over a proposal for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) – they still are – so what more an RCI!
In the words of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in an interview he had given me when he was the prime minister: “There was so much headache in implementing the IPCMC. See how much opposition I had received?”
Of course, these specific events aside, to prove that the police-underworld link is true is another story, as the mention of any names could result in a legal suit, a charge of criminal defamation, or – dare I say – a worse fate for some?
Those of us in the media who have covered the crime beat have been regaled by stories of unholy alliances between members of the force and dubious parties. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, March 31, 2021
That the children of high-ranking police officers as well as retired senior cops have found employment and business partnerships with several of these powerful individuals begs one to scrutinise the relationship even more.
Which is why when current IGP Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador revealed that there are cartels within the police force, not many were taken by surprise. While he limited his comments to officers who wanted to unseat him and use corrupt practices to move up the ranks, one cannot help but delve deeper into Hamid’s statement to ask if third parties are at play – especially when there has been a public fallout between high-ranking police officers before over this menace.
Now, without an IPCMC nor an RCI, and with a non-functioning Parliament, what hope do we have to address the IGP’s revelations? Not to worry, as we have the ever-reliable Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to step in because these are, after all, allegations of corruption – and how can the police investigate its own, especially when there is a trust deficit among the public?
Alas, MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki decided to cop out, saying this is an “internal problem”. “This issue can be addressed by the police, and it’s a closed issue. So, I don’t think there is a need for the MACC to intervene in the matter,” was the shocking response of the nation’s No. 1 graft fighter.
But one should not be surprised by this response. His predecessor, Datuk Seri Dzulkifli Ahmad, gave a similar lethargic response four years ago at the height of the Ops Gopi scandal, where policemen in Melaka were accused of being on the take in return for granting protection to gambling dens and brothels.
One wonders why these cops were getting off scot free with a slap on the wrist when nothing but a full prosecution for corruption, abuse of power and money laundering would suffice.
The scandal got its name from Gopinathan Krishnan, the runner at the centre of the controversy, for his ties to family members of former IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
“We will call the IGP if necessary,” Dzulkifli had said. Whether he did indeed call Khalid is a matter of speculation, including if they did meet in a more casual setting as a matter of courtesy between agencies.
Informing the public, after all, on something so crucial is not a matter of priority for an agency that has demonstrated with cases like 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) that it has the presence of mind to update the people on matters of public interest.
In 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government had disclosed that the MACC had opened 10 investigation papers. The deputy public prosecutor had recommended seizing a total of RM1.03 million in cash from 12 officers and instituting disciplinary action against them.
One wonders why these cops were getting off scot free with a slap on the wrist when nothing but a full prosecution for corruption, abuse of power and money laundering would suffice. And after making the explosive revelation just one week ago, Hamid now says that the situation is “under control”, begging the question if he has been pressured to downplay the matter.
We the public should not be asking these questions, nor making suggestions to those entrusted to uphold the law. What is clear, though, is that this latest drama does not help address the police’s crisis of confidence. – The Vibes, March 31, 2021
Which is why when current IGP Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador revealed that there are cartels within the police force, not many were taken by surprise. While he limited his comments to officers who wanted to unseat him and use corrupt practices to move up the ranks, one cannot help but delve deeper into Hamid’s statement to ask if third parties are at play – especially when there has been a public fallout between high-ranking police officers before over this menace.
Now, without an IPCMC nor an RCI, and with a non-functioning Parliament, what hope do we have to address the IGP’s revelations? Not to worry, as we have the ever-reliable Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to step in because these are, after all, allegations of corruption – and how can the police investigate its own, especially when there is a trust deficit among the public?
Alas, MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki decided to cop out, saying this is an “internal problem”. “This issue can be addressed by the police, and it’s a closed issue. So, I don’t think there is a need for the MACC to intervene in the matter,” was the shocking response of the nation’s No. 1 graft fighter.
But one should not be surprised by this response. His predecessor, Datuk Seri Dzulkifli Ahmad, gave a similar lethargic response four years ago at the height of the Ops Gopi scandal, where policemen in Melaka were accused of being on the take in return for granting protection to gambling dens and brothels.
One wonders why these cops were getting off scot free with a slap on the wrist when nothing but a full prosecution for corruption, abuse of power and money laundering would suffice.
The scandal got its name from Gopinathan Krishnan, the runner at the centre of the controversy, for his ties to family members of former IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
“We will call the IGP if necessary,” Dzulkifli had said. Whether he did indeed call Khalid is a matter of speculation, including if they did meet in a more casual setting as a matter of courtesy between agencies.
Informing the public, after all, on something so crucial is not a matter of priority for an agency that has demonstrated with cases like 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) that it has the presence of mind to update the people on matters of public interest.
In 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government had disclosed that the MACC had opened 10 investigation papers. The deputy public prosecutor had recommended seizing a total of RM1.03 million in cash from 12 officers and instituting disciplinary action against them.
One wonders why these cops were getting off scot free with a slap on the wrist when nothing but a full prosecution for corruption, abuse of power and money laundering would suffice. And after making the explosive revelation just one week ago, Hamid now says that the situation is “under control”, begging the question if he has been pressured to downplay the matter.
We the public should not be asking these questions, nor making suggestions to those entrusted to uphold the law. What is clear, though, is that this latest drama does not help address the police’s crisis of confidence. – The Vibes, March 31, 2021
Terence Fernandez is editor-in-chief of Petra News
The implications of Hamid Bador's subsequent backpedalling is that there are extremely powerful people backing the Cartel, and he has been ordered to shut up.
ReplyDeletetis igb can join tvb, the hk broadcasting co that produce uncounted number of rotten series.
ReplyDelete