Onus now on ex-IGP to prove claims of ‘dirty cops’, says Kula

 

M Kula Segaran said he had lodged a police report last year after Abdul Hamid Bador had ‘exposed’ the existence of a cartel but had not been told of any outcome from the investigation.

PETALING JAYA: Former inspector-general of police (IGP) Abdul Hamid Bador owes the public an explanation on his claims of the existence of a police cartel now that his successor has denied it, says an MP.

Ipoh Barat MP M Kula Segaran said the denial by IGP Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani had now put the onus on Hamid to give the relevant evidence to back his claims or apologise for misleading Malaysians.

‘The IGP’s statement is alarming. The fact that he and his predecessor are contradicting each other openly is a serious matter.

“This cannot be swept under the carpet. It must be properly investigated. This is why Hamid cannot remain silent after the denial by the IGP,” he said in a statement today.

“The issue has become a matter of public interest and Malaysians need to know if there is any truth in the allegations.”

On April 1, Acryl Sani denied the existence of cartels in the police or any external interference when it came to determining promotions within the force.

He contradicted Hamid’s claims that a cartel of “dirty cops” working with criminals had sought to depose him as the IGP.

Kula said he had lodged a police report last year on this matter after Hamid had made the statement but had not been told of any outcome from the investigations.

“This is where the problem starts — police investigating themselves. This points to an obvious need for the setting up of the long proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

“This can play a pivotal role in addressing these concerns and hold the police accountable for any wrongdoing,” he said.

Kula said the number of custodial deaths in the last few months had also increased, adding that this was a troubling matter.

“Due to this, I suggest that a royal commission of inquiry be set up to investigate the allegations made by the former IGP.

“It will do a lot of good to restore the public’s faith and confidence in the police force,” he said. - FMT