Over 250 cops nabbed for drug abuse since Hamid became IGP
PARLIAMENT | Since Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador assumed the top cop position, more than 250 police officers have been nabbed in the crackdown on drug abuse in the force.
According to Deputy Home Affairs Minister Azis Jamman, the ministry will also consider rewarding officers who inform on wrongdoings in the police force.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Azis said up to 252 officers have been arrested since May 23 and they tested positive for drug use...
PARLIAMENT | Since Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador assumed the top cop position, more than 250 police officers have been nabbed in the crackdown on drug abuse in the force.
According to Deputy Home Affairs Minister Azis Jamman, the ministry will also consider rewarding officers who inform on wrongdoings in the police force.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Azis said up to 252 officers have been arrested since May 23 and they tested positive for drug use.
“The Malaysian police view this problem seriously.
“Any officer found involved in or convicted for drug offences will face disciplinary action under Public Officer (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993,” Azis said.
Punishments for such officers range from a warning and demotion to having their employment terminated.
The deputy minister was answering an oral question by Lim Lip Eng (Harapan - Kepong) who wanted to know the number of arrests since Hamid took over as police chief.
Lim also inquired if it was proper for the arrested officers to remain in the police force, which served as a law enforcement agency.
Azis informed the House that the Integrity and Compliance Standard Department (ICSD) conducts rehabilitation programmes for officers involved in drug use for cases not prosecuted in court as urine tests were found to be negative.
In such cases, the ICSD, he said, would refer the officers to conduct a blood and urine test for a second medical assessment on the negative pathology tests.
In response, Lim deemed the total number of arrests as “alarming”.
“A total of 252 officers arrested in five months... that’s around 50 officers (arrested) in a month. That is a very alarming figure,” Lim said.
He suggested that the ministry rewards officers who provide information on drug abuse cases within the police force.
The suggestion was positively greeted by Azis, who explained that the matter would be brought to his ministry for consideration.
“We welcome officers to come forward with information... of course, this (giving reward) can be considered.
“We will bring this to the ministry if certain rewards can be given to officers who provide such information or who cooperate with authorities,” he replied.
Since taking office, the new IGP has said that he would be coming down hard on officers found to be flouting the law, including drug abuse, graft and those working with crime syndicates.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.