Can police escorts refuse VVIPs' orders - Dr M asks IGP

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain should issue a proper standard operating procedure (SOP) for police bodyguards to disobey unlawful orders from VVIPs, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

While the former prime minister welcomed Razarudin’s recent warning to police personnel escorting VVIPs not to break any laws, Mahathir questioned if the bodyguards can actually disregard instructions from the people in powerful positions.

“Can the IGP clarify this matter? I believe that the general tendency is for the police bodyguard to do what they are told.

“It would not be fair if they are not instructed to disobey orders which are obviously against the law,” he said in a statement.

Mahathir was responding to a statement made by Razarudin last week, where the top cop reminded police personnel tasked with escorting VVIPs that they are not above the law.

The warning came on the heels of assault cases involving police escorts, which Razarudin said had tarnished police's reputation.

Whistleblowing protection

Adding further, Mahathir also suggested that police personnel who provide protection for VVIPs be allowed to blow the whistle against their principals should they be given unlawful instructions.

“What if the VVIP assured that he would protect the police bodyguard? What if the VVIP orders that the police bodyguard must not reveal who ordered him?

“It would be unjust if the police bodyguard is punished for carrying out orders which he is assured that he would be protected.

“The police escort should have the right to whistleblow just like everyone else. It is not so easy.

“The IGP must make proper rules, as part of the SOP, that police security personnel have a right to refuse to obey directives to do wrong or illegal things,” he said.

On Nov 4, a police officer who escorted Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim pleaded guilty to assaulting disabled e-hailing driver Ong Ing Keong.

Muhammad Taufik Ismail was slapped with an RM1,000 fine for causing hurt to the 47-year-old deaf driver.

Last Friday, police officer Mohd Fouzi Md Nur, the nephew of the Pahang sultan Tengku Eddie Akasya, and three others were accused of assaulting road construction worker Alias Awang.

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