IGP: Balance needed between officers' welfare and public sentiment

Inspector-general of police (IGP) Abdul Hamid Bador said he is trying to balance between the welfare of his officers and the complaints raised by the public against the police force.

“If recent reports are anything to go by, it would seem that all I am interested in is the welfare of my men.

“That is not true. The welfare of my men and the way they carry out their duties must be in tandem,” Abdul Hamid had said, as reported by The Malaysian Insight today.

The IGP had previously urged the government to consider improving the living conditions and raising the salary for the 135,000 people on the police force.

At the same time, he is grappling with the negative sentiment the public has against police officers’ alleged lack of professionalism, corruption and a report from the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) which fingered the police for its involvement in the enforced disappearance of two activists.

“I am going down to as many police stations and headquarters as I can to hear from my men directly about their grouses. By visiting them in an unofficial manner, I will be getting the truth.

“This information will then be given to the government and this will be a strong argument to ask for a better salary or living condition.

“However, I am not being selfish. I am not doing this just for the police officers but also taking into consideration the sensitivities of the public who are expecting more from the police force.

“This is why I said, the welfare of policemen and the needs of the public must go in tandem,” Abdul Hamid said.

He admitted that corruption had become almost a part of the culture in the police force.

This is why he had ordered all officers to cut ties with the underworld in one of his first orders as IGP, he said.

No compromise on corruption

He had also recently warned district police chiefs against collecting funds for Hari Raya open houses.

He will not compromise on corruption or crime committed by those among the police force.

“Corruption has almost become the culture in the force and this is very negative.

“A little bit of misuse of power will bring problems to the society. I have to be fair not just to the police force but also to the people and the government,” he said.

Abdul Hamid had also become the first IGP to support calls to form an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

However, he denied that he was trying to be a “champion” in doing so.

“It’s not my intention to be a champion. I am sincere. If we increase our service to the people and nation, it will subsequently send a positive message to foreign investors and tourists.

“The first question that investors will ask the government is on our security. Is it safe to invest here? Is Kuala Lumpur being run by the underworld?

"We have a job to ensure that investors come in by being professional in our duty to the country,” he said.  - Mkini