.jpg)
By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright October 2023
We watched a viral speech by Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, the Director of Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID/JSJ) which has garnered praise from the public and netizens alike.
In his speech, he admonished corrupt officers within his contingent, warning them to 'change or be changed.'
While on the surface, this stern warning might seem like a welcome move towards cleaning up the ranks of law enforcement, it is essential to scrutinize the underlying issues and question the effectiveness of such declarations.
Emperor Augustus of Rome once posed the famous question, "Who will guard the guards themselves?" This timeless query is particularly relevant when examining the current state of affairs within the Malaysian police force.
Director Shuhaily's assertion that some officers are willing to betray their comrades for monetary gain is alarming, and it highlights a deeply rooted problem of corruption and misconduct within the force.
However, the heart of the matter lies in the assertion that these problems persist due to a lack of supervision. While this may be true to some extent, it raises the question of accountability within the police hierarchy.
It is the responsibility of senior officers, like Director Shuhaily, to ensure that their subordinates uphold the law and ethics of their profession. If lower-ranking officers are engaging in corrupt activities, it reflects a systemic failure in leadership and oversight.
Moreover, Director Shuhaily's comments on the lavish lifestyles of some officers and their inexplicable ownership of luxury vehicles, such as Alphards, Vellfires, or Mercedes, cast a shadow of suspicion over the entire police force.
The fact that such conspicuous displays of wealth go unquestioned by their superiors is concerning. It not only underscores a lack of transparency but also implies a tolerance for misconduct among those in positions of authority.
The revelation that 130 officers will not be recommended for promotion due to misconduct is a step in the right direction.
However, it also raises questions about the screening and vetting processes within the police force.
Why were these officers allowed to reach their current ranks if they were not qualified or fit for their roles? The failure to identify and address these issues earlier in their careers speaks to a more profound problem of oversight and accountability.
In conclusion, Director Shuhaily's warning, while seemingly commendable, is ultimately a stark reminder of the pervasive corruption and misconduct within the Malaysian police force.
It is not enough to issue stern declarations and warnings; meaningful change requires a comprehensive overhaul of the system.
The nation should be wary of embracing such speeches as tokens of reform when the underlying issues persist unchecked.
To truly guard the guards, we must demand transparency, accountability, and a commitment to ethical conduct from the top down. Only then can we hope to restore trust in our law enforcement agencies and ensure justice for all.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.
