Treat police corruption and abuse as crime, not disciplinary matter

We refer to the recent news report concerning the alleged conduct of police officers in Bachok, Kelantan, involving the demand for RM6,000 under threat of detention and prosecution.

We note that the officers involved were identified promptly and that the money was recovered. Swift intervention in cases of alleged abuse of power is necessary and expected.

However, on the facts publicly reported, the conduct described clearly discloses prima facie criminal conduct, including extortion, abuse of power, and the solicitation of gratification.

When enforcement officers use the powers of arrest and prosecution to extract payment, state authority is abused for personal gain. That is corruption.

We further note the disturbing fact that the police officers involved are being investigated and disciplinary action will be taken. With due respect, that is absurd and unacceptable. 

Disciplinary proceedings regulate professional standards. They are not a substitute for criminal accountability where the alleged conduct itself is criminal. Reducing such conduct to an “internal” or “disciplinary” matter misrepresents both its gravity and its legal character.

Treating allegations of this nature as an administrative issue sends a corrosive institutional signal, for example, that extortion perpetrated by abuse of official authority may be managed internally rather than prosecuted. This weakens deterrence, erodes public confidence, and undermines the rule of law. Where conduct is prima facie criminal, it must be pursued through criminal investigation. Disciplinary processes cannot replace prosecution. 

Only days ago, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim publicly stated that the Madani government will act firmly against corruption, without distinction between friends or foes. That commitment must be reflected not merely in public statements, but in the legal classification and treatment of misconduct at the operational level.

MAGIC calls upon the inspector-general of police to ensure that this matter is not quietly resolved behind internal processes. The officers involved must be publicly identified upon conclusion of investigations, and the public kept informed of the legal outcomes. There must be transparency. 

Finally, given that the conduct described involves the solicitation of gratification and abuse of public office, it falls squarely within the statutory mandate of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. 

MAGIC therefore calls upon the MACC to commence an independent investigation into this matter. 

Mahajoth Singh is founder, Malaysians Against Governmental and Institutional Corruption (MAGIC), an an independent body for institutional accountability.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow.