GEORGE TOWN: A police inquiry paper has been opened against a traffic policeman who was caught on video hitting a motorist at a roadblock in Bukit Mertajam early yesterday morning.
Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the police had begun its probe into the incident.
He said the involved personnel had been transferred to the administrative department pending investigation.
"In this context, we have ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to open up a Police Inquiry Paper. This is based on the first report received from us (the police).
"For now, the victim has yet to come forward to lodge a report over the incident.
"Once we have recorded statements from the victim, the person who took the video footage and the police, we will refer the matter to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further instruction," he told a press conference today.
A 31-second video footage of the incident was uploaded by account holder Penang My Hometown on Facebook.
It showed a man in a traffic police uniform roughing up a motorist.
The incident allegedly took place at about 1.15am during a police roadblock in Bukit Mertajam, mounted in conjunction with Ops Selamat 18.
Mohd Shuhaily said police would not cover up any alleged wrongdoings by its own men.
"I have said repeatedly that we will not compromise on misconducts and abuse of power. We will deal with them accordingly.
"There are many traffic policemen who had worked tirelessly throughout Ops Selamat 18. We do not want them to be generalised following the irresponsible action of a few personnel.
"We have identified the personnel and we will right the wrong," he added.