PETALING JAYA: It is an offence for a policeman to receive “ang pow” or money packets while on duty, says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
He said the act of receiving cash while on duty is wrong as its source can be questioned and construed as an element of corruption.
He commended Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) officers for examining a policeman at the Setapak station, which is under the jurisdiction of Wangsa Maju district police headquarters.
“This shows that my previous instruction on Feb 1 has helped open the eyes of officers and personnel who are supervisors,” he said after launching Op Selamat in conjunction with Chinese New Year at Persada PLUS yesterday.
Razarudin was commenting on an incident on Feb 5 in which a traffic police officer with the rank of sergeant was allegedly found to have kept several ang pow packets containing thousands of ringgit in a locker during a random search.
Razarudin said when he gave his instruction to police personnel on Feb 1, he said state police chiefs, commandants and OCPDs are considered supervisors to their personnel.
“A good supervisor would conduct a proper inspection and ensure his subordinates do not commit any offence,” he added.
Razarudin said as per the standard operating procedure (SOP), each supervisor must check the pockets of their subordinates and ensure that their cash on hand does not exceed RM100.
Giving examples, he said, “A policeman declares that he has RM100 while on duty.
“But when he returns he has RM400 as he has withdrawn money from the bank. It is not an offence as long as he can show proof.
“A police officer who is on leave decides to celebrate Chinese New Year. He visits his friend’s house and is given an ang pow. He is not working at that time.”
