Cops vow to arrest graft in the country

Historic day: Khalid (left) signing the corruption-free pledge at the Pulapol in Kuala Lumpur. Looking on are Dr Ahmad Zahid (centre) and Dzulkifli. — Bernama

Reports by FARIK ZOLKEPLI, RUBEN SARIO, R.S.N. MURALI, IVAN LOH, ROYCE TAN, TARANCE TAN, NABILA AHMAD, LOGEISWARY THEVADASS and SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWA 

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 100,000 police personnel around the country have taken a solemn vow to stop corruption and abuse of power in the force.

It was a historic day for the 210-year-old force as Bukit Aman officers and personnel recited and signed the pledge along with comrades from the various state police contingents yesterday.

The ceremony at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) was led by top cop Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar who recited the pledge and signed it, vowing to make the force free of corruption.

The event was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Malay­­sian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad and other dignita­ries.

The Inspector-General of Police said the pledge should effectively combat and prevent corruption and abuse of power.

“We do not deny that corrupt practices take place but signing the pledge is among the steps we are taking to make sure that they do not continue,” he said.

“The pledge emphasises a vow by the leadership of an organisation to ensure that everyone who signs it will be more responsible in carrying out their duties.

“It also requires them to stay away from corrupt activities,” he said in his speech.

Efforts to combat corruption, said Khalid, were not solely the responsibility of the MACC but all segments of society.

“We are taking the pledge as proof of our commitment towards making Malaysia truly free of corruption,” he said.

Khalid said that since the Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Com­pliance Department (JIPS) was set up, there had been an increase in the number of graft and abuse of power cases that have been brought to light.

“This does not mean the trend is increasing; it shows the department is taking punitive action,” he said.

Through JIPS, Khalid said, several initiatives had and would be implemented to strengthen the force’s integrity via education, training and awareness pro­gram­mes.

“We will also closely monitor the level of compliance among the personnel to ensure it is at an optimum level.

“We will take disciplinary action against any personnel who fails to follow existing rules and guidelines,” he said.

In his speech, Dzulkifli said the signing reflected the force’s commitment in busting graft and abuse of power.

“The PDRM is the first law enforcement agency in the country to make all its officers sign the pledge.

“This is something extraordinary. It’s a testament to the police’s discipline and commitment to eradicate corruption,” he said.

Signing the corruption-free pledge would put an end to criticisms of the police force, Dzulkifli said.

“There are always sarcastic voi­ces criticising the police but with the signing, these will be silenced,” he said.

Dzulkifli, a former deputy public prosecutor with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, said corruption and abuse of power would erode public trust and confidence in a law enforcement agency.

“The public is always observing and judging the work of the autho­rities in this country.

“That’s why it’s important to ensure that the public always see the authorities as being clean,” he said.