Police splash RM500k on combatting online 'false info'

Police spent a total of RM500,000 within six months to be a force to be reckoned with in countering "false information" spread over cyberspace.

"We had spent RM500,000 in the first six months of 2012 to upgrade the ability of our police officers to counter false information online such as defamatory allegations aimed at bringing the police force into disrepute," said inspector-general of police Ismail Omar (right).

Furthermore, he said, the expenditure was also aimed at countering online information considered detrimental to public order such as the spreading of false information on racial clashes.

However, Ismail said the police acknowledges criticism against it and is striving to improve itself.

"People criticise us, we improve, that's what we do. You say we are corrupt, we came up with this (transformation programme) to change because integrity is important to the police force. We are changing but it will take time.

"Of course over the years, there will be mistakes by the policemen, such as corruption or deaths in custody so we are trying to reduce this," he said during an interview yesterday with the press in conjunction with the upcoming 206th Police Day on March 25.

Pointing to some of the improvements, Ismail said the force police had targeted crime reduction of five percent for 2012 but managed to achieve 7.6 percent.

"For street crimes, we aimed for a 45 percent reduction and even though we only achieved a 41.3 percent , it is still a good as we set a high target," he said.

The best at all times 

He added that for 2012, the police force managed to achieve a public satisfaction rate of 65.7 percent, 0.7 percent higher than its target and hopes to push it to 70 percent by year-end.

He said compared to Britain and United States which had 6,500 and 4,000 criminal cases to 100,000 people respectively, Malaysia's at 550 cases per 100,000 is quite reasonable.

Responding to allegations that there had been a spike in gun related crimes with the abolition of the Emergency Ordinance, Ismail said police had to work to best of their ability within the existing laws.

"I am the IGP of today and my men will operate with whatever they have... Whatever law there is today, we combine it with our resources and do the best we can," he said.

Noting that the general election was looming, Ismail advised supporters form both sides of the political divide to behave in light of the heckling at a pro-BN ceramah in Penanti and a Pakatan ceramah in Malacca.

"If there are situations (disturbances), we will respond but it would be better if there was no situation at all.

"That is why party supporters must be rational and responsible when expressing their support. If everyone is morally responsible, I don't see any problems arising," he said.

Ismail said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will make an important announcement for the force on Monday at the Police Day celebration.