Probe 'big spenders' in the force, police chief told
Malaysiakini
Sep 16, 2006

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Musa Hassan has been told to take action against police officers who are known to be living beyond their means.

“If Musa is serious in wanting to eradicate corruption in the police force, he should set an example by taking action against police officers living beyond their means and completely disproportionate to their lawful income sources,” Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang said today.

The call came in the wake of the top cop’s statement in appealing to the public to expose graft in the police force.

The DAP stalwart added in his statement today that Musa - who assumed the IGP post on Tuesday - cannot be ignorant of his (Lim’s) claim “having risen all the way to be the No 1 policeman in the country”.

Lim said if Musa fails to take action against police officers living lavish lifestyles, then the latter cannot be serious in wanting junior police officers to give information on corrupt practices of their superiors.

Musa was quoted in today’s Star as saying: “If you have concrete evidence against any police officer, even your superior, who abuses his power or is corrupt, you can come and see me. I can guarantee protection of the informant.”

Don’t give rhetoric

Lim said although the IGP's remark is good publicity, it is “not good enough”.

“(Musa’s statement) can be no substitute for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) designed to ensure that we have a clean, incorruptible, efficient, professional, human rights-sensitive world-class police service,” he stated in the statement.

Lim reiterated Musa should not follow the rhetoric of his predecessor on the issue of IPCMC.

“He must demonstrate leadership by giving unstinting support for the immediate establishment of IPCMC, ending all negative police opposition to it although constructive proposals like the introduction of an appeal mechanism in the IPCMC system would be welcome even by MPs, regardless of political party,” said the opposition leader.

On Thursday, several newspapers quoted Musa as saying the police were against the IPCMC. He later clarified that they were not happy with the lack of an appeal mechanism in the proposed body.

However, the police chief said the police would accept whatever decision made by the government but Lim reminded Musa today that as a professional and responsible top cop, the latter must support the setting up of the IPCMC - a proposal which came from a government-backed royal commission.