KUALA LUMPUR: Only individuals with the approval of the inspector-general of police (IGP) may use police motorcycle escort services.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said the escort services commonly known as police outriders may be used by VIPs, dignities and anyone who has applied for the services and has been approved.
"Anyone who wants to hire the escort service must go through the IGP. It's an offence for anyone to misuse the services," he said.
Speaking to reporters after attending the police force's Hari Raya celebration at the police training centre here today, he said the stringent process is to ensure that any breach or offences involving the service can be traced easily.
"Anyone who is not on the list may not use the escort services," he said.
Hamzah was commenting on a recent issue where the son of a member of parliament was seen to have had two police outriders escorting him in an apparent abuse of the service in order to beat the Hari Raya traffic congestion in Penang.
A video of the MP's son driving with police motorcycle escorts has since gone viral on social media platforms.
Hamzah said an internal investigation has been carried out in relation to the incident and the offences committed will be announced once the investigation is complete.
"If there is a legal offense involved, then action will be taken. However, this all needs to go through the investigation process first," he said.
Hamzah, however, said the police force's present motorcycle escort services standard operating procedure were adequate.
"This is an isolated incident, and it is not fair to (blame all) simply because of this case."
Also present at the celebration was IGP Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani along with Federal police department directors.