Sunday, May 12, 2019

New IGP at the helm

I suppose most Malaysians would agree that the country's police force, as a whole, is not too bad. Basic law and order is upheld and enforced. But many would agree that few of its previous IGPs were held in high esteem by the public. The Police reputation was virtually destroyed by the recent few holders of the office.

It now has a new leader: Abdul Hamid Bador. Having read stories of his uprightness, we are all hoping that this new IGP will transform the Police force. Immediately upon assuming office, he rallied his top brass to consent to the formation of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). It is an obvious decision that any IGP would have to make if he wanted his officers to be respected by the public, yet his predecessor Mohamad Fuzi Harun was quite blind to it.

Sure, many on-the-take would be shivering in their pants. However, if the Commission will use this to make the police to look forward instead of fearing that the past would catch up with them, then this is an opportunity to make a lasting cultural change.

Yes, police officers, especially the junior ones, are not able to live decently with the pay that they are getting. Numbers must go down and quality and productivity up. A portion of all compound fines should be shared with the force, but done in the most transparent manner. (The police can legitimately collect billions out of our errant motorists who blatantly flout traffic rules: speeding, using emergency lanes to gain advantage, double- or triple-parking, etc. Strictly enforcement of traffic rules will also help usher in a set of new driving etiquette or culture, which is sorely needed in this country.)

Weak leaders are consumed by status quo. Great leadership transforms. I am sure IGP Abdul Hamid Bador can do it! 

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