Cop broke rules in Teluk Bahang, concedes IGP

The police officer who threw his helmet on the road in Penang, causing several motorcyclists to crash, has violated the force's standard operating procedures (SOP).

"The person on duty did not follow the SOP. I admit to his actions and we have rectified it," the inspector-general of police Ismail Omar told a press conference in Bukit Aman.

Speaking to reporters at the federal police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Ismail (left) said the truth of the matter was that the police officers were responding to a complaint from the local residents about a group of ‘mat rempit' (motorcycle hooligans) in the area.

In the incident in Penang, as a result of the helmet being thrown, the motorcyclists reportedly fell from their machines and one of them was warded in the hospital.

Ismail said that despite the unfortunate incident, the police had responded to the complaint quickly, notwithstanding that the men on the ground might not have followed proper procedures.

Locals enraged by the incident had laid siege and threw sticks and stones at the Teluk Bahang district police station.

However, Ismail said the incident in Penang ended amicably with the police and residents eventually making peace.

"The police had explained to them what happened, and held several meetings with the local community. Trust must be there... if we have done wrong, we will rectify," he stressed.

'We will take action'

Commenting on a similar incident in Johor, Ismail gave the same assurance.

"The incident in Tangkak, Johor... I have given instructions to the state police chief. If there are infractions, we will take action against the police officers involved.

"We do not want this matter to drag on. We will rectify it," he vowed.

In the Tangkak incident, a police officer who was conducting an operation against ‘mat rempit' involved in illegal racing, allegedly kicked one of them, causing him to fall off his motorbike (left).

Asked to comment on the negative public perception of the police, including opposition politicians who have accused the force of being pro-government, Ismail said:

"Those negative perceptions are coming from certain quarters. However, the force is 205 years old and Malaysia has gained independence for over 50 years.

"If we look over the years, I believe it will show the professionalism of the police. We will continue our stand as an agency that does not play favouritism," said Ismail.