Seafood seller makes police report, accuses cop of asking for a bribe and robbing him

IPOH: A seafood seller has lodged a police report alleging that a policeman had attempted to solicit a bribe and then robbed him at Kanthan, near here.

Ong Choon Beng, 24, said the incident took place near the Kanthan police station on Thursday (March 21) at about 4am.

"I was stopped at a roadblock there prior to the incident. A policeman had asked me to step out from the car, and then he seized my pouch, mobile phone and MyKad," he said.

Ong recounted the incident at a press conference held by the Perak MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau chief Low Guo Nan at the Perak MCA headquarters here on Friday (March 22).

"He was browsing thoroughly through the messages on my mobile phone and found a year-old message about a lottery that I have bought.

"He told me that it was an offence to have such a message, and said that I needed to follow him to the Ipoh district police station," he added.

Ong said the policeman then got into the driver's seat while he was asked to take the passenger's.

"He said that  he was driving me to the police station.While on the road, he asked RM1,000 from me to 'settle' my case, but I refused, as I did not have such money," he said.

"After making a call to his 'superior', the policeman then asked for RM600 and I rejected him again.

"He made a sudden U-turn and returned to the roadblock," he added.

Ong said the policeman returned his belongings and then unzipped his pouch to take out a wad of money, of about RM250 before alighting from the car.

"I was too stunned to do anything and returned home," he said.

"A friend then advised me to take the matter up to MCA," he added.

Low said he accompanied Ong to lodge a police report on Thursday night (March 21).

"I hope the police can clarify to the public on their standard operation procedure (SOP) of a roadblock.

"Can a policeman drive another person's car to the police station, or could they have just gone to the nearest station in Kanthan?" he asked.

"I believe this is not the first time, and I urge others who have faced with such similar incidents to lodge a police report," he said.

Low also advised people to remain in their vehicle, should they come across such incident.

"The people should then ask the policeman to show his authority card, take down the name and police identification number and then give their cooperation.

"This is every person's right," he said.

"Should they feel that if any acts by the police are suspicious and unacceptable, call 999 to report it," he added.

When contacted, Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Ali Tamby said they have received the report and would launch an investigation.