KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today warned senior policemen not to pressure their subordinates to look for ‘sponsorships’.
“I don’t deny there are a few bad apples in enforcement agencies who give a bad name to the entire agency. But this must stop immediately. We will not tolerate such individuals,” Zahid said, warning of stern action if any individual were found to be guilty of such acts.
Zahid said he will not accommodate such behaviour and practices and these bad apples will be weeded out if necessary.
“Gone are the days where illegal income may have been acceptable, but not anymore. I have told the IGP, his deputy and all senior ranking officers to stay away from any sort of corrupt practices and that they should lead by example for the rest,” he said.
Zahid was speaking to the media after a treasure hunt programme held by the ministry today.
The Home Minister also touched on the New Sunday Times exclusive story where it was reported that low-rank cops have been forced to take bribes in order to meet the demand sponsorship demands of their superiors.
The minister said he will order Bukit Aman’s Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) and Special Branch directors to investigate the authenticity of this report, which was based on several sources within the force.
“I’ve read the message, allegedly from an OCPD, who blamed his superiors and practices within the force. I think it’s not very smart of him to give such an excuse to justify the corrupt practices within the force,” Zahid said, adding that the investigation is not to go after the officer but to ascertain if such practices were actually happening within the force.
“If true enough there has been cases where lower ranked officers are forced to find sponsorships, the officer should have reported it to JIPS,” he said in his speech.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s petition to free PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Zahid said that Dr Mahathir “wants to wash off his sins”.
“It is not for the government to decide. The process must go through existing legal avenues in the judiciary system.
“Besides, a pardon request from his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was sent to the palace recently over Anwar’s release,” he said, adding that it was a better avenue.