Power Abuse

image taken from :http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-4025743/stock-photo-malaysia-th-police-day.html

During 202nd of Police Day, there was a new slogan "Tegas, Adil dan Berhemah” (Firm, Fair and Courteous”) for it. According to newly appointed state deputy police chief Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman, he mentioned that "Integrity Is Our Practice" which would help to enhance the performance and authority of the force.

However, some negative perceptions have applied towards the police. For example, in 2008, there was a case of "Strong case against officer over alleged rape" from The Star. The cop raped a 17 years old girl in the station in Subang Jaya after he instructed the couple to go to police station after knowing that the guy does not pocess the liscence. During the investigation session, two of them were separated, and here was the time where the cop forced the girl to perform oral sex before she was rapped. After the case, the cop was suspended and faced disciplinary action. However, this incident has left a bad impression for the public towards the image of police. Public starts to wonder the so-called integrity characterisctic of police. If we could not even trust the police, who can we depend on? They are the entity that suppose to protect our public's safety!

image taken from : http://jonathanmelleonpolitics.blogspot.com/2007/10/daniel-e-bosley-hypocritical-big.html

On the other hand, according to SUARAM " Ongoing Abuse of Police Power Must End!", there was a latest news where the police misuse their power in the arrest of Hindraf leader, S Jayathas, on the grounds of wearing an anti-ISA badge when Hindraf had a prayer ceremony, 13 December 2009 to mark the Internal Security Act (ISA) detention of five Hindraf leaders two years ago.
The police did not inform S Jayathas of the grounds of arrest even after they were asked.Such action indeed lead the police committed the violation of Article 5(3) of the Federal Constitution which states that when "a person is arrested, he shall be informed as soon as may be of the ground of his arrest..."
Moreover, according to Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution states that every citizen has the right to freedom of expression. S Jayathas has the right to express his opinions under the protection of constitution and his arrest is a violation of his constitutional right.
Police should carry out the job effective and efficiently, however, in this situation, it seems to be opposite. If such situation continue to happen, i believe this will definitely lower the confidence of public towards the accountability of police. If none of us put faith in cops, this will threaten the safety of our country, as we all know that cooperation between public and cops are essential in the effort of reducing the crime rate. Without the help between one another, not only the safety innocence public will be affected, but also disrupt the development of our country!

It is the time for the Government to intervene in the matter, enforcing the Police Reform Act 2002. It is basically "An Act to make new provision about the supervision, administration, functions and conduct of police forces, police officers and other persons serving with, or carrying out functions in relation to, the police; to amend police powers and to provide for the exercise of police powers by persons who are not police officers; to amend the law relating to anti-social behaviour orders; to amend the law relating to sex offender orders; and for connected purposes". Besides, police must be more committed to perform their tasks/jobs, dispel negative perception in order to restore the public confidence towards the force.