by Tunku Aziz
MAY 22 — Criticisms of the PDRM (Polis Di-Raja Malaysia) have lately turned ugly: they have been reduced to what amounts to a hate campaign. I believe this attitude is totally counterproductive because as citizens we deserve the police service we get. In other words, unless we are prepared to work with them, they will not succeed.
That said, PDRM must change with the times, and change what is known all over the world as the police culture of impunity. Police training must naturally cover traditional aspects of policing, but in today’s terms nothing is more important than for our police to understand the issue of human rights and the rights of the individual to police protection without regard to race or colour. Officers at every level of the service must subject themselves and their actions to the closest public scrutiny. Members of the public today are no longer mesmerised by the shiny little badges of rank that elbow for space on their very crowded epaulette.
Members of the Royal Malaysian Police belong to an honourable profession that, in our country, is more than two centuries old. The PDRM is older than the London Metropolitan Police (1829) and the New York City Police Department (1843). They are the inheritors of a long and proud tradition of service to the people of this country. And we owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.
The Malaysian police service is like no other in the world. What little I know of police forces in some parts of the world suggests that in many respects, ours is as good as the best, but as the report of the Royal Commission on the Enhancement of the Management and Operation of PDRM has pointed out, there is a lot of room for improvement so as to bring the standards of policing in Malaysia in line with best international practices.
As a member of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the police service, I despair of the decision of the government to soft pedal on the most important recommendation in the whole report — the creation of an independent oversight body to help protect the police protect itself against unwarranted criticisms. The government, and the police, no less, must accept that no police force in the world has ever succeeded in policing itself, and PDRM is no different. I may be forgiven for concluding that the government has made, in a manner of speaking, a right royal “dog’s breakfast” of much of the report. Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pussyfooted around this recommendation, but let us see whether our self-proclaimed reforming crusader, the current prime minister, has the stomach to force this through.
I can understand why the senior ranks are suspicious of any suggestion that they perceive as “outside interference.” The Knapp Commission (1972) on the New York police had this to say: “Two principal characteristics emerge from this group loyalty: suspicion and loyalty directed at any outside interference with the department. This mixture of hostility and pride has created what the (Knapp) Commission has found to be the most serious roadblock to a rational attack on police corruption: a stubborn refusal at all levels of the department to acknowledge that a serious problem exists.” I spent a year in New York as Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General in 2006, and was able to follow developments in the New York Police Department, and nothing substantial has changed since that report was released in 1972. Let us move from New York to London.
Sir Robert Bunyard, a former Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, describes police culture as follows:
“The culture of police groups has always been particularly strong, partly because the police occupy a unique and ambiguous role in society but also because they feel the need to defend themselves against what is seen as a hostile world.” Not really very different from the way many police officers in PDRM have reacted to the royal commission report.
A common belief or notion, which appears to be deeply embedded in the police psyche, is that of impunity, forgetting that the powers given to them are purely for the purpose of enforcing the rule of law and maintaining public order. Many of them also sometimes forget that they are not above the law, are indeed creatures of the law, and it is their duty to uphold the law, and not subvert it, however great the temptation might be.
Effective policing depends on public support, and public support will be withheld or even withdrawn if there is no confidence in the integrity of the police as a whole. It is important for them to realise that they are an intrinsic part of the society which it is their duty to serve, and all of their actions must be directed towards the public good.
Their distinctive blue uniform sets off very complex emotions and reactions in different people. As police officers they are either respected or feared. Naturally, how they choose to be treated is entirely a matter for them to decide.
The important role they play in our criminal justice system cannot be overemphasised. It is all the more important that they maintain the highest ethical and moral standards, particularly in handling cases that could lead to a possible prosecution.
We often hear complaints about questionable methods used by the police when gathering evidence, methods that will not bear close examination. Nothing is more calculated to alienate the public than the belief, rightly or wrongly, that the police are careless about protecting citizens’ rights. Members of the public are becoming better educated and know their rights under the law. What all this means in practice is that the police must change from a perceived culture of impunity to one grounded in efficiency, transparency, honesty and accountability.
We do expect, I admit, rather a lot of our men and women in blue. We make demands on them that we would never dream of imposing on ourselves. They work under conditions which are far from ideal, often exposed to great hardship and danger, and yet do we ever stop to think about their welfare and that of their families?
I can tell you that nothing much has changed in 50 years as far as their accommodation, for example, is concerned. Instead of living in wooden barracks, they now live in crammed one- or two-bedroom concrete cubicles. Police families tend to be large, and the chances of living with dignity as a family unit are not part of their terms of employment. Domestic pressures under such living conditions defy the imagination, and it was for me, on official visits to many police stations in different states, a humbling experience to talk to police personnel and to see their patience and forbearance of an existence that is not in keeping with today’s minimum expectations.
The nature of police work is such that it would be totally dishonest and disingenuous for anyone to suggest that it is no different from all the other components of the civil service. It is different, dangerous and debilitating of mind and body. The police service should be treated as a separate and distinct service, and the officers, men and women should be paid a rate for the job that reflects the true nature of their work.
Police work is not every one’s idea of fun and games, and in fact I have often said that anyone determined to join the police should have his or her head examined. But for all that, thank God that there are thousands of them who have decided to devote their lives to the care of the citizens of this country so that we can go about our work or business knowing that they are there watching over our security and safety.
I have often heard it said that if the police are paid more, the armed forces might be upset. My remedy for that is for members of the armed forces to join the police and have a taste of police life.
(Much of the material has been drawn from my own speeches and writings. The comments remain as relevant today as when they were first made four years ago.)
We do need to encourage the PDRM. They need our encouragement.
It is also opined that all the members of the police should be paid more and human rights values should be incalcucated in them.
The other day I saw hundreds (maybe even thousands) of policeman of various ranks in uniform and plain clothes loitering and stationing themselves along Jalan Ampang. They were there, I am told to close down the entire stretch of Jalan Ampang to stop the Bar Council from presenting its memorandum to Suhakam. The joke is however I am told,that the Bar Council came in quietly (and peacefully) and submitted their memo and left!
These policeman could better serve the nation if they are deployed to stop the robberies, rapes and murders taking place everyday in our society. What a waste of resources and lack of priority!
The above explains the reason why our PDRM is not respected nor feared by the Rakyat generally.
In fact, most times we hear the rakyat ridiculing and mistrusting our own police force.
Apa sudah jadi ni?
Raja Chulan
We can learn something from the Singapore Police Force. The top brass there are all top scholars from top universities.
No need to re-invent the wheel. Just reformat Singapore’s success formula to suit our own PDRM’s needs (minus kiasuism please)!
Give those young 10-14As kids a chance to be PRDM Scholars studying at Ivy Leagues in US with exposures at INTERPOL as part of their training programme during their bonded years!
In time, I am sure the entire PDRM will be a force to be reckon with!
Yes, the police has changed, but for the worse
Three police constables were detained in Serdang today for allegedly raping a 17 year-old Indonesian girl. The constables attached to Serdang police station were detained one day after the girl lodged a police report.
The Indonesian girl claimed that she was raped at 3am yesterday in a house in Serdang. The victim who did not have personal documents was believed to be an illegal immigrant.
“Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pussyfooted around this recommendation, but let us see whether our self-proclaimed reforming crusader, the current prime minister, has the stomach (and balls) to force this through.”…..with Altantuya hanging over his head??
It is good to see that the UMNO/BN 1Malaysia government is setting themselves to fail in the next elections.
It good to see them persecute citizens carrying peaceful expressions of differing opinions through the use of the so called people’s police. While at the same time people get killed and robbed by mad rempits. The BN Government have got their priority all wrong. Is this the 1Malaysia that Najib is talking about?
The police can use hundreds of personnel to stop the Bar council from presenting their memorandum to Suhakam. Is the Bar Council committing a crime? Any body did or injured?
Mad rempits are robbing and killing people. Where are the hundreds of police.
But, they don’t think so
‘We can learn something from the Singapore Police Force.’. poor dad.
I am afraid that’s the least UMNOPutras want to do.If they truly serve public interest,they would have done so years ago by taking a train across the causeway to study their public transport system,the workings of Singapore Municipality in managing their waste disposal,greenery,public toilet,street and drainage cleanliness etc.No they prefer to learn from Egypt so that they can also learn something about belly-dancing,more ‘life enriching’ study tour than what one finds in squeky clean Singapore!
Great piece Tunku,
Anyone who thinks Police should be paid according to civil servant ranks is a fool. There is a call from the outside for a change but we also need change from the inside of the force. Do we have a champion for this change within the force?
The rot starts at the top. The present IGP played a big role in the prosecution of Anwar Ibrahim during sodomy I. The present A-G was the lead prosecutor in the same trial. Both were accused of fabricating evidence for the trial. Both were promoted to their present posts after Anwar’s successful conviction, helped of course by Judge Augustine Paul who was himself promoted to the apex court.
With men like these do you wonder what you’re getting?
Slowly lah AhPek! At least I read today that our PM got the Spore Govt to agree on a new bridge. Have to see if this will turn to reality or another just talk only session!
Well, I am not young anymore and I hope I live the day when I can drive my car over that highly illusive bridge.
There is many bad press about our national police force mostly now. Why?
There are times I saw some of the police personals are just abusing their duties above the law…such as get a free meals from stalls, no need pay toll, worse still bully other car users to get their destination..happen at batu tiga toll gate in the morning.
We used to respect them highly of their duties & their uniforms..in the 80’s but now no more. They are being like a tools or robots for some political parties interest.
Should they catch the thief, snatch thiefs, rapist, murderers,mat rempits..etc; yet they catches laymens, lawyers,speakers,MP’s,road users…etc.
If they say no many people..then why during the Perak Dun Assembly there are SEA’s of police catching laymens wearing black t-shirt?
Are they had nothing to do??
Cannot blame them but the superiors policemen need to questioned n suspended.
If not, change the IGP guy…Govt. had spend a lot on police force…new uniforms, new bikes, new mitsubishi lancer-evolutions patrol cars, funds for police schools but end up..catch your family members & mine for minor offences(public)…
Its time to revamp the whole police forces..from bottom to top people.
Those old & corrupted cops should be in jail.
What happens to Kugan’s case..who is the culprit??…not found & close case!!
What happens to the IPMP…to investigate the wrong doing of police force?
Why MACC take no actions on why some cases are yet to solved in many years..,corruptions?
Why recently Police act like Robot to BN to arrest the public & Oppositions parties members suspect as criminals? Let police force out of politics web…
Lacks of integrity & discipline as well of our police force plus many are getting fatter nt fitter!!
Of course, there are many good cops here who sacrifices their life for us.
I do respect them & please the Govt. & police force take care of their welfare..either on duties of retired ones.
I would suggest the PDRM should be wholely be an independence force not in Home Ministry but direct report to Royal Constitution..POLIS DIRAJA MALAYSIA or change it to POLIS KERAJAAN MALAYSIA. Any wrong doing in police force will be suspended & punished in police court.
Bila these days, blue uniform baboons ever care about their reputation…the reason must be getting lowly educated personnels to join the force. When you pay peanuts, you get monkeys!
The only option opened to these incompetent clowns is to wipe the a##es of their political masters for fast track promotion!
You mean they HAVE NOT FAIL? So why do I look around me constantly, afraid to walk in the dark, don’t carry cash if I can help it nor my real IC or any important document, have a gun at home, pay a ton of money for pet food for my guard dog, have an alarm system, worry when family members go out at night, taking self-defense class, carry a iron pipe in my car,
do I have to go on?
Don’t worry,poor dad,you will certainly live to drive your car from east Johor (not Johor Bahru) to Singapore.This new bridge agreeble to Singapore’s government is not like the one insisted by Mamak who wanted to replace the causeway with an overhead bridge linking Johor Bahru with Woodlands.This mamak’s proposal would not be mutually beneficial whereas the one acceptable is mutually beneficial!
I think Singapore would like a new bridge away from the Causeway because the grid-lock at the Woodlands checkpoint is embarrassing to them and even after more than 5 years, the traffic nightmare persists.
Bot back to the police – I think they failed the moment the government capitulated and backed down from the IPCMC.
That was a critical point at which both the government and the PDRM failed to uphold proper concepts of a government.
Now we have a police force that has defied a government command – is that not a mutiny?
That is the basic reason we see senior officers behaving like Samurai but without any honour code.
Tunku Aziz,
PDRM is a very boring place for any young talented persons , very low pay and not attractive career development that why you can see only one color and not multiple color .
Dear Tunku Aziz
They have been systematically failing us for the last 10 years, or haven’t you noticed?
It’s no longer a case of ‘PDRM’ must change. It’s one of how WE THE PEOPLE are going to force the change! It’s no joke that they are referred to as I Polis Raja, I Raja Polis and Polis Raja Di Malaysia!
The top cops here, including the curent IGP, have managed to successfully stall and sabotage the ICPMC, which the UK and Australia have seen as good enough for their Police.
I say its time for the sledgehammer!
http://donplaypuks.blogspot.com
Do you know HJ Angus that if mamak were to succeed in demolishing the causeway and get an elevated bridge to replace it, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas would have gained further competitive advantage over Port of Singapore Authority? They are not particularly concerned about the grid-lock at Woodlands as long as the waters at Selat Tebrau cannot pass under a bridge at the exact location where the causeway is!
what a stupid Chengho guy!
police completely not heart-up by the small salaries but rather have plenty of opportunities to ‘open’ booths at any road sides for briberies!the top cops will share illegal business with gangsters and with the weapens they posseseed,who dares to confront with them?
This police problem is simple. Its like this:
1. they are lowly paid, hence corruption is rampant;
2. they are also not highly educated
3. they see themselves firstly, as a government servant, hence do not p!ss off the boss;
4. they are Malaysian, yes welcome to this fact. Malaysians generally have no sense of national pride or are truly civic minded or patriots for the nation in doing what is right. See how we drive, how we line up in queues etc.
Looks at the police in the US, they are more tolerant. Yes, we have laws against illegal gatherings but it can be tolerated. At the moment, its called ZERO TOLERANCE, of course its a directive from above.
Look at Romania, a police state, with Ceaucesceu, finally, he has the sense to walk away. Malaysia … no way la.
Also, too many here talk too much … look at all the silent protests/vigils … how many people actually go for it compared to those who seem to know how to lead a nation from their PCs?
So … its a simple solution … we are doomed.
///We do expect, I admit, rather a lot of our men and women in blue. We make demands on them that we would never dream of imposing on ourselves. They work under conditions which are far from ideal, often exposed to great hardship and danger, and yet do we ever stop to think about their welfare and that of their families?///–Tunku Aziz
Only 8% of the police force is involved in work that might be described as often exposed to great hardship and danger. Some 92% were having good life with the power to retail their authority to supplement their income.
The public service is bloated, and we have higher number of civil servants per hundred thousand populations, and certainly more man less share in terms of salary. Yet when there were 60,000 unemployable graduates, they were absorbed into government service. Had they been productive, they might have contributed to taxes, rather than having to consume resources from taxes, and thus reduce the share of income for other civil servants.
The police personnel had their duties exposed to danger because they did not have more of their colleagues assigned to combat crimes. When criminals are emboldened they become more dangerous to the law enforcement personnel. It is a vicious circle. It becomes worse when police personnel were involved in active criminal activities, and other gave protection to criminals.
The problem lies in corruption within the police force, and in other branches of the government.