Inspector General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador’s revelation about an alleged ‘cartel’ operating within the police has reinforced the need for reforms to the force, as various groups have called for.
It is also disturbing to learn of alleged attempts to topple Hamid by officers whose underground activities have been called out.
Corruption in the force, which the police chief claims is prevalent, has the effect of undermining justice, if officers are blinded by material gain to overlook wrongdoings.
Malaysians should rally around Hamid, who wants to clean up the police force before his retirement.
Various groups and individuals have called for decisive action to be taken, such as lodging a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, restoring the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Bill (to replace the watered-down Independent Police Conduct Commission Bill tabled last year) and the setting up of a royal commission of inquiry.
Hamid himself would prefer that the matter be resolved internally, but this would be difficult, if not impossible.
Given the immense gravity of this matter, Aliran calls on the government to heed the calls from the public, especially the call to set up an independent royal commission of inquiry.
Aliran executive committee26 March 2021
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