The Malaysian Insight

CORRUPTION in the police force is hard to tackle, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said today.

He admitted that such a culture exists, bringing the force to disrepute.

“Corruption happens, I agree. We have taken drastic steps against those who are involved in it,” said Khalid during a question-and-answer session after his lecture at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia today.

One PhD student shared her experience of how international students faced harassment by police when they move about in the city. She alleged that the students had to pay the police during roadside inspections. 

“That is why we have ordered that patrol units cannot search and inspect foreigners by the roadside unless their superiors or someone of a higher rank is there them to oversee the inspections.”

He added that a few weeks ago, he stopped a patrol unit in Semenyih from conducting inspection on foreigners.

The policemen have since been referred to an internal inquiry following to the incident.

Khalid, at the end of the session, told the crowd that as the head of the police force, he was an unhappy man when it came to police integrity and competency.

“I am always not happy. But that is the challenge that all my directors have to address. But I assure you that we will all do our best to ensure that our country is always safe and you are free to move around to study and do whatever you wish.”

Earlier, Khalid delivered a lecture titled “Challenges & strategies for the next decade”. – July 7, 2017.