REAL-LIFE ‘ROBBER COPS’: IGP ‘DISAPPOINTED’ OR NOT, THAT’S THE EXTENT OF ROT ORDINARY MALAYSIANS ARE USED TO WITH THE POLICE FORCE – BETTER FOR HAMID TO CLEAN UP PDRM, RATHER THAN SPEND TIME POLITICKING

HARDSHIPS in life are no excuse to commit crime, said the inspector-general of police, following reports that officers had staged robberies in Kuala Lumpur and Puchong.

“I am very disappointed and appalled. Our men in blue should be upholding the law,” Abdul Hamid Bador told The Malaysian Insight.

“However, I believe crimes committed by policemen can be contained with appropriate action.”

He gave an assurance that the officers concerned will be dealt with severely.

“I will make sure of it.”

What is disappointing, said the top cop, is that “there is no shortage of advice and reminders from their superiors” never to succumb to greed.

Hamid, who has been making unannounced visits to his men on the ground, said he needs more time to “correct such things”.

Seven police, including two inspectors, were arrested yesterday for allegedly attempting to extort RM204,000 from a Kuala Lumpur money changer.

In the Puchong incident, a group of officers allegedly robbed a grocery store and arrested two Rohingya employees.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Mazlan Lazim said the force is treating the cases seriously, and vowed no compromise with the officers involved.

“Those found guilty will be punished according to the law.”

He earlier disclosed that four civilians, including a Bank Negara Malaysia staff member, have also been arrested on suspicion of abetting the cops in the Kuala Lumpur case.

Of the two inspectors detained, one is from the police technical college in Muar, Johor, while the other is from the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters’ narcotics criminal investigation division.

Mazlan said the other officers are rank-and-file personnel, with three from the Sea Park police station, and one each from the Petaling Jaya station and city traffic station.

They have been remanded for four days, starting today.

The Malaysian Insight is made to understand that one of the inspectors and four officers, all attached to the Petaling Jaya station, were arrested about 4am yesterday.

An application to remand the four civilians will be made today.

All the suspects are aged between 31 and 41. They are being investigated under Section 395 of the Penal Code for robbery and Section 170 of the same code for impersonating a public servant.

THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT