Corruption within the police force involves only a small number of officers, but their conduct has tarnished the reputation of the entire service, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said.
He expressed regret that public perception has been shaped by the actions of a handful of personnel, stressing that the vast majority of police officers perform their duties with integrity and dedication, Bernama reported.
Ayob Khan said corruption-related offences must be dealt with firmly, irrespective of the rank of those involved. He added that he had never shown leniency towards officers implicated in such matters during his tenures as Johor police chief, director of the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) and director of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
“In Johor, when I served as police chief, some officers and personnel were subjected to action under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma). At the NCID, officers at the ranks of superintendent, ASP and inspector were also placed under Special Preventive Measures,” he said after the launch of the book Antologi Puisi Makan Suap at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in Kuala Lumpur last night.
He warned that attempts to conceal corruption cases to protect the force’s image would only enable such misconduct to fester and become harder to eradicate.
“I will not compromise. If I detect such cases, the first step is to refer major cases to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). The second step is to open an investigation file, and the third is to initiate disciplinary proceedings,” he said.
At the book launch, Ayob Khan said he would continue to speak out, reprimand and remind officers of the disgraceful and humiliating nature of corrupt practices. He reaffirmed his determination to tackle this harmful culture despite suggestions from some quarters — both inside and outside the force — that corruption in the police is difficult to eradicate.
He added that Bukit Aman remains committed to upholding integrity, particularly in combating corruption and abuse of power, while ensuring national security and public order and maintaining the highest standards of service.
