ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor police chief wants the two policemen who allegedly extorted money from cross-border travellers near the Causeway to be suspended immediately.
Comm M. Kumar said he has instructed the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department to submit a letter to Bukit Aman recommending suspension following two separate allegations against the suspects.
“A police report was lodged on April 5 where the victim alleged that he was extorted by the two suspects at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) customs, immigration and quarantine complex on April 2.
“A second victim came forward on April 19 with claims of extortion by the same policemen at BSI... the incident took place on Jan 4.
“He was afraid of reporting it earlier as he utilises the BSI daily and only came forward after reading the news about the latest incident,” Comm Kumar said after witnessing the handing over of duties to the new Iskandar Puteri OCPD yesterday.
He added that the matter must be taken more seriously as two separate allegations have surfaced against the same policemen.
“This is why I have recommended their suspension while investigations are ongoing. However, the approval (for the suspension) has to be obtained from Bukit Aman,” he said.
The suspects were under a three-day remand until today, he said, adding that once investigations are completed, the case will be referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action.
The two policemen, attached with the Johor Baru Selatan district police headquarters, were previously stationed at BSI.
“Although this involves two policemen out of more than 10,000 police personnel (in Johor), we have no intention of covering up the case.
“We aim to be transparent and take action against those involved in corruption, extortion or any activities that go against the integrity of the police force regardless of their rank,” said Comm Kumar.
Earlier this month, the two policemen were arrested for trying to extort RM2,000 from a local man at BSI; he managed to avoid handing over the money by faking an asthma attack.
In the latest allegation, a 50-year-old Malaysian man claimed that two policemen had accused him of having pornographic materials in his phone while he was travelling through BSI on Jan 4.
He alleged that the policemen told him to pay them RM1,000 to settle the case before taking him to an ATM to withdraw the money.
