With a new IGP, let there be 'aman' in Bukit Aman

COMMENT | The appointment of Abdul Hamid Bador as the new inspector-general of police could possibly be the best thing to happen to the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in a long while.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad was right to choose an experienced officer of calibre and a man of integrity and honour to head the police force. It seems that the prime minister has made better choices outside that of his cabinet.

Let’s leave aside the appointment of Latheefa Koya as the new MACC chief for now and allow her time to ride over the storm over her surprised appointment and settle in her new job.

Hamid Bador brings a bout of fresh air to Bukit Aman (the hill of peace). We have not witnessed much peace in the hill over the years but only gloomy, dark incidents.

Who could ever forget the black eye sustained by Anwar Ibrahim after he was brutally set upon by none other than the serving IGP in 1998? That is one clear example of little or no “aman” in Bukit Aman.

Then, what about the cases of death in police custody, where a number of these took place in Bukit Aman cells. And the C4 explosives obtained by rogue cops direct from the Bukit Aman armoury to blow up an innocent Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu?

Where is the peace that is supposed to tie in with the hill of peace? Public perception of Bukit Aman is not what the IGP and his officers stationed there would want to remember.

Malaysians will surely hope that IGP Hamid would be able to bring back public respect to PDRM. The police force is one of the most important public institutions – one which the public have to deal with on a regular basis. Hence, what the law enforcement agency does (or failed to do) has a bearing on our everyday life.

This fact has to be drummed into every police officer regularly and, even more so, into every new recruit. They must all realise that the nature of their work comes into direct contact with the public. Like it or not, they have to be imbued with a very public-oriented perception and if they do not possess a caring attitude, then they are not fit to wear the police uniform.

If there is “aman” in Bukit Aman, that peace would, in turn, surely be transferred onto the public. A happy and spirited police officer will be able to discharge his duties more efficiently and responsibly. Bringing that “aman” to Bukit Aman now rests squarely on the shoulders of Hamid.

General satisfaction with Hamid

Within a few weeks of his appointment as IGP, there is general satisfaction on the performance of Hamid. He has managed to persuade his men to accept the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), acknowledging that there is corruption in the force and armed with the desire to protect his “good men”.

We believe the new chief meant what he said. His statement: “If there are 500 dirty cops, there are 125,000 more good cops. I believe my men are good. They are good men so we have to set a good example from the top. I will set a good example from the top” is highly-spirited and resonates with public sentiments.

We also applaud his warning to his men to sever ties with criminals before it is too late for them to repent and his ticking off OCPDs for collecting funds for Hari Raya.

I want to believe in Hamid and that he is genuinely serious about eradicating corruption in the police force. I guess I have no choice but to trust him.

Malaysians have enough of tolerating police nonsense but we are also mindful that the majority of policemen are good, caring folks. If a man of such integrity and substance like Hamid is unable to clean up PDRM, I’m not sure who else can.

Personally, in a little corner of my heart, I hold some affection for the police force. I was a police cadet in secondary school and learned police drills, including marching, learned to take instructions from my superior officers and discipline – the one important attribute one must have before you are allowed to wear the police uniform. Aha, I still have in my possession the little wooden baton that we were each provided as police cadets.

In my younger days as a journalist in Kuching, I worked closely with the police and considered one late Kuching OCPD a best friend. He would call me, even deep into the night, to follow him and his men on drug raids or whenever major newsworthy incidents took place.

A cousin also retired as the Sarawak CID chief years ago. These personal ties with the police enable me to appreciate how policemen work and how tough their lives could be.

Only yesterday, I received news of a policeman who died in an accident while on duty. His body was covered with blood on the road. The incident is believed to have taken place in Johor Bahru.

When we hear of such tragedies, our hearts go out to the men and women in blue. More importantly, let us learn to appreciate and honour them as their work also involves the ultimate sacrifice, something which many of us will surely shy away from.

To IGP Hamid Bador, as I salute you in your untiring effort to bring “aman” to Bukit Aman, I also wish to say that I understand you are only human, with faults and weaknesses.

Nonetheless, please know that you have already earned the respect of your fellow Malaysians and that they are placing their total trust and faith in you to do what must be done to “overhaul” PDRM.

You are THE man whom we believe will be able to handle tremendous pressure in the worst of times. To the best man for the job now, we sincerely wish you every success.

FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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