If pork is haram, corruption is worse, says Ayob Khan

 

Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay agrees that the wages and allowances of police personnel should be reviewed in view of the rising cost of living. (Bernama pic)

JOHOR: State police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the relatively low pay and allowances of police personnel was no excuse for accepting bribes – because they knew exactly what they would be earning before joining the force.

However, he said a pay review for police personnel was in order due to the rising cost of living.

Using pork – which is forbidden in Islam – as an analogy for Muslim personnel, he said he was bewildered that they were quick to point out it was “haram” to even see the meat but could indulge in graft which, according to him, was even worse.

“They say pork is haram and seeing the meat is also prohibited. But they don’t realise pork can be eaten by Muslims in emergencies to survive. I repeat, during emergencies only.

“However, corruption is not allowed even in emergencies.

“This example is enough to show how disgusting bribery is. It involves all. This is my ultimate example to drive home the anti-corruption message,” he said in a live interview with Astro Awani earlier today.

The former Bukit Aman anti-terror chief said as far as he was concerned, nothing could justify policemen accepting bribes, citing the early days when he joined the force in 1991.

Ayob Khan said they had to use old typewriters to take down reports and complete investigation papers, which was not easy.

“The sacrifices of our personnel then cannot be compared with that of now. Today, they not only have laptops but also six senior investigating officers in a district.

“So, to say that they take bribes because of low wages and allowances, I don’t agree. It’s their lust and greed that makes them accept bribes. We have to lead our lives according to our pay, cut your coat according to your cloth.”

For example, he said, if the pay was RM2,000 a month, there was no need to change handphones every six months or buy fancy gadgets costing as high as RM7,000.

Ayob Khan said there were those who changed cars every six months or every Hari Raya.

“When I became a cadet ASP in 1991, I bought a second-hand Proton Saga which I used for 10 years. Then I changed to a second-hand Honda Civic which I used for another 10 years. Finally I bought a new Toyota Wish which I also used for 10 years.

“I just sold it. My advice to all is to live within your means because if you go beyond, then you will start looking for money from other sources.”

On the wages and allowances of police personnel, he agreed that a review was needed in view of the rising cost of living.

For example, he said, the rental for a decent house in Johor was about RM1,000 per month but the housing allowance was only RM300 for other ranks and RM450 for officers.

“This disparity is big and we can see how difficult it is for them to survive. Maybe we cannot give the whole amount but the existing rates must be raised. They tend to compare themselves with what Singapore police personnel earn but that may not be fair.

“However, it is indeed true that the cost of living has gone up, and some police quarters were built in the 70s with only one room. For an efficient force, their welfare is important. We are not asking for the moon and the stars,” he said. - FMT