Penangnites seem more interested in discussing the recent hike in diesel price and its spillover effects instead of the report by the Royal Police Commission.

The new diesel price and how it has affected transportation fares and the prices of goods dominate the talk at stalls in George Town. Here police corruption, abuse and violations of human rights take a backseat.

On the contrary, some have even expressed satisfaction with the present standards.

A 42-year-old motor foreman, who has gained commercially by handling accident claims over the years, said he can get things done by giving the police a bit of ' duit kopi ' (bribe).

"Otherwise, I have to go through hell," he said.

According to him, and several others like him, a little bit of corruption will allow the system to self-regulate and work efficiently.

A 30-year-old salesman, who admitted to have bribed traffic policemen to evade being booked for an offence, said the ' duit kopi ' has done more good than harm.

"It's a win-win situation. Not only I escaped from paying a hefty fine, but I had also enriched the lowly-paid cop's pocket. He could have used the money to buy groceries for his family," he said.

Five resolutions

The idea to post the report on the Internet was first mooted by prominent social activist Anwar Fazal at a roundtable dialogue to discuss the report at a hotel in Penang on Tuesday.

The suggestion was adopted and passed as one of the five resolutions at the session, which was organised by the Penang DAP and attended by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang.

The other resolutions urged for the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission when the Parliament meets on June 20, implementation of the commission's recommendations in stages to enhance police performance to world class standards and people-orientated service, maintaining low crime rate, eradicate corruption and uphold human rights and lastly, urging the police to adopt zero-tolerance towards corruption.

Anwar also suggested for the government to explore a cost-effective way to print and sell the report cheaply to the public.

"Perhaps the report should have been printed like a telephone directory to enable the people to buy it at an affordable price," he said.

Although the roundtable session was constructive and set a benchmark on public expectation for a higher quality police service, poor public attendance overshadowed its importance.

Only about 40 people, mainly local DAP leaders and members, and familiar faces from various social groups, joined the session, suggesting that the public were either not aware or simply disinterested.

"Perhaps the people are not concerned about the police. Or they prefer not to disturb the system as it has, at times, worked in their favour," said one participant.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini 's Penang-based stringer.