Non-Malays are shying away from joining the police force not only because the pay is poor but also due to a lack of appreciation for their contribution, an opposition member of parliament said today.

Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) said besides financial remuneration the "other problem is that recognition or appreciation is withdrawn even after it was given".

"Recognition must be given to those who deserve it regardless of race," she added during the question-and-answer session.

Fong was referring to the recent decision by the Ipoh City Council to change the name of a road which was named after former Perak police chief Koo Chong Kong who was assassinated by communists gunmen.

The decision sparked a volley of criticism forcing the council to retract its decision.

In reply, Home Affairs Deputy Minister Chor Chee Heung said not all police personnel would be accorded special recognition though many will be awarded medals, pension and special purchase schemes at police cooperatives.

"If they continue to play their role well they will be awarded with more good things," said Chor.

Unhealthy sign

Meanwhile, Chor revealed that non-Malays make up only 10 percent of the total 87,000 police personnel in the country. Three percent are Chinese and the rest are Indians.

Out of this figure, there are 69,000 new recruits made up of constables and others, he added.

He said the minimum pay for a new constable recruit is RM553 per month. This amount will be increased to RM586 after probation. Maximum pay for new recruits is RM981, which is inclusive of special allowance (RM100), other allowance (RM65) and housing (RM230).

The deputy minister was responding to a question raised by Lim Bee Kau (MCA-Padang Serai) on the measures taken by the government to encourage more Chinese and Indian participation in the police force.

Lim said the role of the police was an important one and the uneven racial composition was an 'unhealthy' sign.

She sought to know the reason for their lack of interest and asked whether the pay scale was unattractive.

Chor said various measures such as radio announcements, displaying of posters in supermarkets and notices to associations about recruitment in the police force have been carried out by the ministry.

However, he conceded that the pay scale may be one of the factors why non-Malays are not keen in joining the force.