The police, like all other institutions need honest feedback or it would be fantasising in what psychologists call 'groupthink'. Groupthink is dangerous because if we block all feedback from 'outsiders', we would confirm each other's mistakes and follies.

In this regard, I think malaysiakini is doing a great service to the nation by providing outlets for grievances and criticisms against the police. Otherwise, these grievances and criticisms would turn into undercurrents.

Indeed, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has a great problem. People still remember vividly how a former Inspector-General of Police tortured the former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim who was blindfolded and handcuffed.

People also remember how a young Chinese doctor called Dr Tai Eng Teik was shot dead by a policeman two years ago.

Thousands of orderly demonstrators cannot easily forget how the police fired tear gas into peaceful crowds comprising children and elderly citizens.

Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua's bruises all over his body as a result of police brutality also angered many people, especially the Chinese youths.

And then, we now see another IGP fantasising about 'rocket launchers' and arresting opposition leaders under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

And in the minds of many people, the police have yet to account for the many police reports lodged against Umno leaders. Have these reports been thrown into a tong sampah ?

Come on, PDRM, you have a great problem. Not merely of image but of human morality.