KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that police escorts should have the right to whistle-blow, just like the public.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, to establish proper rules as part of the police's standard operating procedures, ensuring that police security personnel are empowered to refuse illegal orders.
The former Umno president said that it has become a common tendency for police bodyguards to follow instructions, but he believed it would be unfair to them if they were not allowed to disobey illegal orders.
"I am glad that the Inspector-General of Police has warned the police officers assigned to protect VVIPs that they are not above the law. If they do something wrong or illegal, they will face punitive action," he said.
"I suppose this means that if they are instructed by the VVIP to do something wrong, they should refuse. But can they? Have they been told that they have the right to do so?
"Can the IGP clarify this matter?"
He added, "What if the VVIP assures them that they will protect the police bodyguard? What if the VVIP orders the police bodyguard not to reveal who gave the order?"
Dr Mahathir said it would be unjust for the officers to be punished for carrying out orders when they were guaranteed protection.
Last Friday, Razarudin warned police officers tasked with escorting VVIPs not to act beyond the law. He said there would be no double standards, and action would be taken immediately if any officers were found breaking the law.
He cited the indictment of a policeman in Pahang, along with four others, for assaulting a 44-year-old man in June of this year. The five were accused of intentionally injuring the man on his right thigh with a knife at a stable in Kuantan.
Razarudin also mentioned the case of a VVIP's police escort, who was fined RM1,000 for injuring a deaf-mute e-hailing driver at a five-star hotel. He said such actions had tarnished the reputation of the entire police force.