KUALA LUMPUR: With a starting salary of just RM1,441 per month, new police personnel fall under the B40 category, making them part of the urban poor community, says Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
The Bukit Aman CID director said the situation is exacerbated if recruits are sent to big cities such as Kuala Lumpur.
"Their salary scale is in such a sad state. When they enter the force as a constable their salary is RM1,441. Plus allowances, it comes up to RM1,800.
"However, their take home pay is only RM1,500. Can you survive with such a salary in Kuala Lumpur? Other expenses such as medical costs (for example, a disabled child) have not even been factored in.
"Leaders and supervisors must find out and identify personnel who are experiencing such predicaments. If you can help, do so," he said in a video shown to CID chiefs nationwide at Universiti Sains Malaysia recently.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said there have cases of policemen who declined to be transferred for fear that it would burden their family.
"Someone came to see me saying he had to reject a promotion because his wife is paralysed and his two children are also diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
"He said he had to carry them every morning, clean and dress them up before going to work.
"Despite being paralysed from the waist down, his wife still cooks nasi lemak for him to sell at the office while his allowance is used to cover the family's medical costs," he added.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the policeman said if he is promoted, he would not have the time for his family.
As CID director, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said he is committed to solve every logistics problem, including welfare and assets issues.
He also reminded all CID chiefs to not simply support or reject transfer applications.
"You must scrutinise every application before making a decision," he said.
