Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim said the police personnel detained for partying in a police station with alcohol and women should face the full brunt of the law for their misconduct.
“Definitely not,” he stressed when asked if it was sufficient to probe them for violating the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) under Section 269 of the Penal Code.
“Police officers have to discharge their duties in accordance with the Police Act and other regulations under that law,” he added.
Furthermore, he said the four police personnel, including the officer-in-charge (OCS) of a police station in Kajang, should be sacked or suspended.
Describing their action as blatant, Zaid (above) surmised that the four could have the protection from those higher up, which emboldened them to behave in such a manner.
“Our police force needs a national clean-up.
“The police force has always been associated with underworld kingpins, involving drugs, prostitution etc. Corruption in the force is rampant, according to former inspector-generals of police.
“Therefore, what happened in Kajang comes as no surprise,” he added.
Responding to another question, Zaid said the public is also keen to see how Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin would react to this incident.
“The home minister always appears to be strict with the public on SOP violations. The public wants to see how he will react to this Kajang incident which has besmirched the entire force.
“The (new) IGP (Acryl Sani Abdullah) was handpicked, so he and the minister should be on the same wavelength,” he added.
Yesterday, it was reported that a team from Bukit Aman's Standards Compliance Integrity Department (JIPS) had raided the police station on Tuesday evening following a public tip-off.
The team detained the four police personnel and four women, who were found dancing and crooning to karaoke in a room.
Among others, the team seized a liquor bottle, five bottles of ketum, lighting and audio equipment as well as lewd photographs depicting one of the policemen with a woman who was among those detained.
Vowing not to compromise with any quarters who break the rules, JIPs director Azri Ahmad said the matter is being investigated under Section 269.
Section 269 reads: "Whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine or with both.”
In a related development, rights group Eliminating Deaths And Abuse In Custody Together (Edict) questioned the absence of photographs showing the four police being brought to the court in handcuffs to be remanded.
The group also questioned if the four have been suspended pending investigations, adding that they must be sacked if the charge against them is proven to be true.
Edict also wanted the police to reveal the identities of the four police personnel to the public, arguing that it would serve as a deterrent to others.
“Edict wants to stress that whatever action taken against the four which is perceived to be double standard would court public scorn,” it added in a statement.
Police also reportedly said that the OCS who was arrested tested positive for cannabis and has been suspended. The others are believed to have been reassigned to administrative duties. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.