Minister’s ‘request’ to IGP on transfers smacks of interference

 

From G Selvakumar

The executive has overstepped its boundaries when it was revealed that the home ministry had postponed the transfers of senior police officers in the service.

By law, it has no locus standi to do so and, more awkwardly, the police administration should not have obeyed this “request”.

But then this is easier said than done as there are stronger forces of pressure at work when it comes to the overall command and control of the men in blue.

The IGP was absolutely right in law when he ticked off the minister concerned. The command and control of the police service is completely within his prerogative, as stipulated in the Police Act.

Nevertheless, he has to tread with great caution especially when the decision to extend his contract or not, lies in the hands of the executive.

This is where the overwhelming influence of the executive comes into the equation.

The fact that the “request” by the home minister was given more authority by the police administration rather than the IGP’s orders further emphasises the problem faced by the top cop.

It does not bode well for the neutrality of the police in the present political climate and landscape, which is getting more fragmented as the days go by.

Part of the solution lies in making the police service more apolitical with the emphasis to strictly enforce the rule of law and keep the peace without fear or favour, along with fighting crime, as its main priorities.

It must not get involved with trying to please the political masters all the time. Accountability and responsibility of the police service must therefore incline more towards the Parliament. The IGP must be in the forefront in this endeavour.

However, this is further compounded when the top echelon of police service careers and appointments are decided by the executive.

Senior officers at the top have to be mindful not to step on political toes if they harbour ambitions to move up the ladder of command. This anomaly was supposed to have been addressed and become part of the reforms in New Malaysia but obviously that did not materialise due to the political shenanigans at the material time, which to a large extent are still ongoing till today.

The IGP has been blunt and honest in calling a spade a spade. Honesty has been his forte but obviously this is not enough to make the police service totally apolitical.

I had thought that his experience during the 1MDB scandal would propel the service to greater heights in strict adherence to the rule of law, without fear or favour.

Unfortunately, it has not. Many promises that were made when he was first appointed, were not kept. It was demoralising, to say the least.

Nevertheless, it is opined that his honesty, being a rare commodity these days, should be harnessed and that he must be given every chance to make good on his promise, especially in the fight against internal corruption and abuse of power.

He needs to reduce the influence of the executive on the command and control of the police service. It has become even more imperative and crucial now, as we head towards greater uncertainty in our country’s fragmented political landscape. - FMT

G Selvakumar is a former police officer and FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.