Wayward ways of VVIPs continue without waver
The police force – its reputation, image and conduct hardly smell like a bunch of roses. From being accused of arbitrarily issuing summonses to being accused of corruption, from assaulting people in remand to shooting and killing innocent people, they have taken all of them on their chins.
Despite being pilloried and crucified (in a figurative sense) by Suhakam commissioners and judges in a court of law, there’s always the brave front – refusing to acknowledge nor deny their roles and admit wrongdoing.
Amidst such depressing news, there have been flashes of kind-heartedness, generosity and helpfulness from some police officers when people are in dire situations. Although they are rare compared to reports of excesses, it proves that all that matters is an individual’s mindset and attitude.
Under these circumstances, a question one has to ask aloud is why are some getting hot under the collar over a short animated video on police brutality, which the makers say they created by interviewing the subjects involved?
On the other hand, like millions of fellow citizens, they must be burning with excitement over the creative talents of two young people. The argument is that the video puts the police force in a bad light but recent occasions indicate that the police have appeared to have shot themselves in the foot.
Two weeks ago, durian farmers were prevented from entering their farms to collect their harvest at Tras, near Kuantan. This is despite an order by the Court of Appeal which allowed them to enter their farms until a full appeal is heard in court.
On Jan 5, the Court of Appeal granted 204 durian farmers in Raub a stay pending the appellate court’s hearing in a dispute with the state-backed consortium (Royal Pahang Durian Resources-PKPP Sdn Bhd).
A video clip that has gone viral shows the confrontation between Tras assemblyperson Chow Yu Hui, the police and other officials. Despite being shown a copy of the order, the policeman refuses to read it and stretches his hands and declares: “Kita ikut arahan.” (We are following orders).
The police are likely to be cited for contempt and a battery of lawyers from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) will have to contest it, and this comes at a cost to taxpayers. Like the damages won by the families of the three men killed in Shah Alam, the compensation comes from the nation’s coffers – from taxpayers like you and me. Because of the principle of vicarious liability, errant officers don’t fork out a sen.
Was all this necessary? Why couldn’t the police have obeyed an order of the court in the first place?
But of immediate concern are breaches of rules and regulations governing the movement control order (MCO) by our ministers and politicians.
On July 2, there was an unusual gathering of top federal government figures at night in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysiakini reported: “The gathering took place at a mansion along Jalan Bellamy - a quiet and lush part of Kuala Lumpur dotted with many government-owned properties and near the former Istana Negara.
“Dozens of luxury cars - many of them Toyota Vellfires, a favourite of the political elite - were spotted within the vicinity of the property. Two official vehicles used by deputy ministers were also spotted.”
Malaysiakini identified that at least one deputy minister, one cabinet minister and one MP who is also a GLC head were at the scene.
But the clincher was: Media presence in the area was not welcomed. Eventually, a police outrider told the Malaysiakini journalist who was observing on a public road to leave.
The police were aware of that meeting, which broke the MCO regulations on the congregation of people. Did the police not then provide cover for illegal activity? Shouldn’t that meeting have been stopped by the police? Isn’t prevention better than cure?
Three days later, the police announced that they would open investigations against politicians and political parties if there is information that they conducted physical meetings during the total lockdown and MCO.
Unlike the instant fines imposed on two people in Penang who were providing free food, investigating titled people and VIPs entails a process. There will be investigation papers, then submission to the AGC, after which there’ll be a slap on the wrist and everything is forgotten.
Really, you want information? Ask the outriders; ask the (police) bodyguards of ministers and ask the drivers who drove those luxury vehicles to the meeting.
Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani was quoted by Sinar Harian as warning all political parties not to hold such meetings when the MCO or EMCO is in effect.
Shouldn’t Joe Public be aggrieved when there’s one rule for him and another for politicians? While ordinary folk are pulled up for even the slightest of breaches, the police seem to allow politicians to getaway.
Last Saturday, Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa went on Twitter to boast that he had visited former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“Today, we as husband and wife had the chance to visit Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Jeane Abdullah at their residence at Bait Badawi, Kuala Lumpur.
“We spent more than two hours with him and had lunch cooked by Jeane. May Allah always bless Pak Lah’s whole family,” he tweeted.
Not surprisingly, it sparked outrage on social media, especially from those who have been separated from their families.
What more information do the police need to prosecute Annuar? He has made a confession of sorts and even dragged his wife along as an accomplice.
Talk is cheap and Acryl Sani must walk the talk. Enough with the advice and warnings. Treat the VVIPs and the titled persons as how you would treat any ordinary citizen.
The tattered and battered image of the police force can certainly be enhanced if they are seen to be enforcing the law without fear or favour. - Mkini
R NADESWARAN wonders why the police do not use laws on the MCO evenly and fairly, but instead implying different standards of enforcement depending on status. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
✍ Credit given to the original owner of this post : ☕ Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH
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