There is a loss in public confidence in the Malaysian police. Gone is the "clean, efficient and trustworthy" image, to be replaced with a "dirty, inefficient and corrupt" image. Some of main complaints levied against the police have been corruption, failure to act on complaints, abuse of powers, use of unreasonable force, torture and deaths in police custody and the "shoot to kill" attitude.

"Seven policemen, including two chief inspectors, were arrested for their alleged involvement in an armed robbery at a hotel on New Year's Day...". ( Star , Jan 8, 2004)

"Two police inspectors have been arrested for alleged extortion after their victim identified them during an identification parade". ( Star , Jan 26, 2004)

In Parliament, it was revealed that in 2002, 16 persons died in police lock-ups. And until July 2003, there were seven deaths for that year. In 2002, it was also reported that 237 inmates died, and in 2003 (until July), 188 died in prison.