Sarawakians are questioning why many of its senior police positions are held by outsiders, state DAP leader Alan Ling said today.

 

The Home Ministry appointments are against the Malaysia Agreement, the Piasau assemblyperson said during the debate on the 2015 budget today.

 

“The majority of Sarawakians are not happy with the appointment of outsiders as commissioner of police, heads of Crime Investigation Department, Special Branch Department and police administration.

 

“The people start to question whether their appointments are, directly or indirectly, a form of colonialism being practised by the federal government.

 

“Only less important posts are given to Sarawakians such as head of narcotic and head of commercial crime, whose ranks are only superintendent (level),” he said.

 

“I am not questioning the ability of these officers. I am merely expressing the sentiments of the local people and the local police officers.

 

“The local officers feel that they are in a better position to serve the local people,” he added.

 

Concern for Home Ministry

Ling said that according to the Malaysia Agreement, priority should be given to locals to hold important posts, including the post of state police commissioner.

 

The current police commissioner and the two previous ones are from the peninsular. So far, only one Sarawakian has held the post, he said.

 

“I think it is befitting to bring to the attention of the state cabinet and police officers who are attending the state assembly today so that such concern can be brought to Bukit Aman police headquarters and to the Home Ministry for rectification,” he said.

 

He said police officers from outside Sarawak are also holding senior positions at the divisional and district headquarters.

 

Ling, who is also Sarawak DAP secretary, appealed to Bukit Aman to list down the names of senior officers holding important posts in the State.

 

“We want to know how many of the senior posts are being held by Sarawakians, including at divisional and district levels, as compared to the number of posts held by West Malaysians,” he said.

 

Ling said that Sarawak’s unique culture and diversity of languages demand that Bukit Aman give special consideration and attention to the needs of the state, irrespective of their racial and religious background.

 

“I hope the chief minister will give strong support to my request,” he added.