KUALA LUMPUR: The police have been instructed to abstain from using force and provocation during the 14th General Election.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi issued the order besides calling them to engage with all individuals from various political parties.
Zahid said while there should be no stone unturned to maintain of public order, police personnel should abstain from using even one tear gas or water cannon in their operations.
The Home Minister was speaking to police personnel at a gathering at the Royal Malaysian Police College here today.
Zahid told the police to treat the gathering, in what could very well be their final gathering before the polls, as his final message to them before GE14.
"I hope that you all (police) and the department are at the highest level (of performance) in policing history. The Home Ministry thinks your performance is at its best level," said Zahid.
He said that the police preparedness which was now at 100 per cent should also be in line with the people’s desire to see the meaning of democracy translated to peace, harmony and comfort during the polls so that they can choose a government that can give them continuity.
Meanwhile Zahid said that an order has been issued to the police to give out a fifty per cent advance of the allowance due to personnel to move to their assigned locations.
He also said the rest of the allowance would be paid within 30 days after the completion of their assignments.
Zahid also said that the ministry had already given the police the allocation and urged them to disburse the allowance early.
"I am doing this because I am very attentive to the needs of all my anak-buah (those under him). And I appreciate their commitment as I have witnessed their preparedness first-hand in my visits to state contingents nationwide where they have demonstrated this in simulations and exercises," he added.
Zahid, who stressed that charity begins at home, said he had talked to Inspector-General of Police and the ministry secretary-general to look at those who were not given promotions despite their long service. He also said that the matter would be escalated to the Public Services Commission.
Zahid also said that those in forces and units who are qualified for allowances should be paid their dues.
"Their promotion, career and future development opportunities, their rights to allowances, rights to better services and to be a part of a better (service) scheme have to be given our full attention in the long run.
"These decisions by the Home Ministry are also transparent to show that our commitment is not seasonal. We also do not want such efforts only to be a legacy but part of a long term measure to ensure there is continuity to our service (police service)."
Present were Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun and his deputy Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.
Fuzi, in his speech, said police had identified 14 main challenges and transformations that were needed to ensure the force stayed relevant.
He said the challenges included areas such as border security, cybercrimes, internal security threats, extremism and radicalism as well as legal and organisational workings.
"Realising the challenges, police have set integrity as the (main) pillar. This is because integrity can shape ethics and other values such as rational thinking to prevent corruption and abuse of power," he said.
Report by Veena Babulal, Teoh Pei Ying, Mohd Anwar Patho Rahman and MohdAzam Shah Yaacob.