KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, did not mince his words when admonishing police officers who worked hand in glove with criminal syndicates, warning them to "change or be changed."
He touched on allegations that some officers were willing to risk the lives of their comrades for payment from syndicates by providing false information during operations.
Addressing a room full of contingent CID chiefs and CID chiefs from district police headquarters across Malaysia during the CID Director's Mandate Ceremony at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, yesterday, Suhaily said the situation is something that has to be taken seriously.
"In other words, within this team, some are willing to kill each other for money.
"This happens because there is no supervision at the lower levels (at the contingent and district levels) to monitor and observe the lifestyles of officers and their subordinates.
"How can a sergeant afford an Alphard, Vellfire, or Mercedes? Have their superiors or supervisors ever asked how they can afford luxury vehicles or declared their assets?" he asked.
Mohd Shuhaily said supervision by superiors or officers is something that already exists in the police task directives.
"That's why some officers and members under your supervision engage in misconduct because their bosses don't care (to monitor). And in some cases, it's not just a matter of not (monitoring and) being informed; their bosses are just the same.
"Some bosses (superior officers) go and buy luxury cars together with their sergeants (with syndicate proceeds) and even choose their vehicle registration numbers together.
"This is what is happening in the force," he said.
He also warned all 130 district CID officers who fail to perform their duties according to directives.
"For anyone among these 130 individuals who still fail to follow instructions, I will not only transfer you, but I will also write a recommendation notice stating that this officer is not eligible for a promotion.
"This is because they are not qualified to take on the responsibility of supervising other higher ranked officers when at present, they cannot even handle (the mandate that comes with) their current rank," he said.
He added that he hopes all officers and members of his department, from Bukit Aman to police stations nationwide, will continue to do right and put an end to the culture of associating with syndicates.
A video of his speech, which went viral on social media, drew tons of comments from viewers, who lauded his strong stance on corruption within the force.
One commenter wrote: "Well done, Datuk for telling these officers off directly."
"Another wrote: "This is sure to light a fire under some officers."