‘Arrest declining image of police’

How can the public have faith in the police if they have no self-discipline? asks a Sabah MP.

KOTA KINABALU: A local MP has called on the federal government to immediately launch a crackdown on “indisciplined” policemen to restore waning public confidence in the security force.

Citing the recent detention of police officers from the Kuala Lumpur narcotics division on suspicion of drug trafficking, Kota Kinabalu MP Hiew King Cheu said there was a growing public perception that the police force is “indisciplined and corrupt” and should be avoided.

Describing the detention as a serious matter, Hiew said it could be clearly seen that indiscipline in the police force was getting worse and that the personnel have neither self-discipline nor do they respect their work and their superior officers.

He urged the government, especially the home ministry, to thoroughly investigate personnel who flouted the law and find ways to correct the problem before it worsens.

He claimed that the general public was concerned about the fast-dwindling discipline in the police force, to the extent that many have lost confidence in the force.

“If they (the police) cannot maintain their own discipline, how can we trust them?

“The home minister (Hishammuddin Hussein) will have to do his duty to put right the situation,” he said.

Unacceptable answerHiew also expressed disappointment over the written reply given by the Hishammuddin to his question in Parliament recently, on what action the latter was going to arrest the declining discipline in the police force.

Hiew noted that Hishammuddin in his reply had said that to improve discipline, the ministry conducted courses, motivation classes and talks.

“This is a totally unacceptable answer. How can we keep discipline just by conducting courses, motivation classes and talks?” he asked.

Hiew said that police officers who were involved in crime must be held responsible and appropriate action taken.

“We have to do something now to restore discipline in our police force. We cannot wait until it gets out of control,” he said.