It will be shameful if the allegations against crime watchdog MyWatch chairperson R Sri Sanjeevan are true, said former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan.

Musa, who was a former patron of MyWatch, lamented that it would also impact other NGOs with a similar agenda to fight crime.

"I do not wish to be seen as pressuring because police investigations are still ongoing. Let the police determine if the allegations are true or otherwise.

"If true, then it is shameful because the people will lose trust in other NGOs formed to prevent crime," he told a press conference in Petaling Jaya this morning.

Musa emphasised on the need for such NGOs not to allow their reputations to be tainted.

"These NGOs must have credibility because they want to help the people.

"But if they themselves act in the opposite manner, being together with wrong activities, then it is shameful for us," he added.

Sanjeevan's driver also arrested

Last week, police arrested Sanjeevan at the Nilai toll plaza following allegations that he had demanded RM25,000 from a gambling den operator.

Sanjeevan's 26-year-old driver, an Indian national, was also arrested.

Asked about his feelings upon learning of Sanjeevan’s arrest, Musa said: “I was surprised because he looked like a person genuinely trying to reduce crime in this country… So I felt it (his arrest) was embarrassing.”

Musa, who is now Malaysian Community Crime Care (MCCC) president, said he found that MyWatch’s activities were more geared towards issues of politics.

“I felt uncomfortable, so I left the NGO and set up my own,” he said, adding that victims of crime can contact MCCC if they faced difficulties in getting help from the authorities.

Following Sanjeevan’s arrest, Musa also urged the police to investigate the backgrounds of NGOs to prevent any party from earning income illegally.