GEORGE TOWN: Penang police chief Datuk Khaw Kok Chin today said the five policemen, who were detained for extortion, would be charged if investigations point to their involvement.
He said there would be no cover up. "If the investigation is positive (that they have committed the crime as alleged), then they will be charged.
"No cover up," he told the New Straits Times when asked on investigation into the case. Khaw, however, said: "Let us carry out a full investigation."
He also warned his men to refrain from any wrongdoing or face the full brunt of the law.
"I will not hesitate to take stern action against any police personnel who commit any crime," he added.
The NST reported yesterday that less than 24 hours after Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain issued a stern warning against errant police officers, five policemen in the state were detained in connection to an extortion case involving a factory worker in Permatang Tinggi on Thursday.
The five — a 48-year-old police sergeant, two corporals aged 35 and 38, and two lance corporals aged 24 and 30 — are all attached to the Seberang Prai Tengah district police headquarters.
They were detained after police received a report from the 27-year-old man, who allegedly paid RM4,500 to the suspects.
In the 10.15pm incident, the factory worker was driving from Permatang Tinggi to Simpang Ampat, when he was allegedly stopped by two police mobile patrol vehicles.
Three policemen then came over to check his vehicle.
During checks, one of the policemen claimed to have found a plastic bag containing powder, believed to be drugs, inside the man's car.
The man had denied that the item belonged to him. Still, the policemen insisted otherwise and said that he could face harsh punishment. The man then claimed another police car arrived with two personnel inside, and he was asked to pay RM10,000 to avoid being arrested.
After discussion, the man was asked to pay RM4,500, in which the money was later handed over to one of the policemen at a separate location.
After paying the money, the dissatisfied man lodged a police report.