Cops should focus on racial, religious incitement instead of clerical work, says Kit Siang

DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang (pic) has urged police to form a special division to look into racial and religious incitement instead of setting up a new department to improve standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance, including disciplinary procedures for police personnel.

Taking aim at Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, Lim said police had abdicated their responsibility in acting swiftly when dealing with racial and religious incidents.

"One of the reasons Malaysia’s racial and religious harmony has deteriorated is because of the failure of the police in keeping a firm check on ‘reckless and irresponsible’ elements in the country," Lim said in his latest blog posting.

Khalid had announced on Monday that a new department would be set up to improve the SOP compliance, including disciplinary procedures for police personnel, which had been handled by the Management Department.

Called the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department, it is expected to be fully operational in two months and would be led by a director with the rank of commissioner. 

"With the department in place, it is hoped that we can improve the SOP compliance in all aspects of assignment, including disciplinary procedures for police personnel," he was quoted as saying.

Anti-crime watchdog MyWatch chief R. Sanjeevan criticised the move, saying that it was a waste of funds with the hiring of new staff and would only result in overlapping duties.

Instead, he said police undertake a total revamp of their existing set-up to improve crime-fighting efforts, adding that matters involving police integrity and procedure compliance can be handled by the Management Department.

“MyWatch believes that this new department will only benefit a few people within the force where they will be given promotions but the end result remains zero," he had said.

“PDRM must reform internally to prioritise crime-fighting."

Lim agreed, saying, at present, only 18% of the 112,583-strong police force was tasked with fighting crime in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

"The bulk of the police force ― more than 50% ― are desk-bound officers designated to office work like clerical and administrative duties, while 34% are tasked with internal security and public order.

"That is to say, for every one police officer in the CID fighting crime, there are about five police officers who are doing office work.”

The Gelang Patah MP said an overwhelming number of Malaysians agreed that the police must prioritise fighting crime and maintaining peace and harmony in the country.

"It is more useful and urgent, for instance, for IGP Khalid to form a special division to stamp out reckless incitement of racial and religious animosities and hatred."