PETALING JAYA: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Hussain said the supervisors of policemen implicated in misconduct or criminal activities outside their official duties will not be held accountable for the actions of their subordinates.
This statement follows the recent case of five policemen, including two officers, who were apprehended while processing and packaging ketum in Melaka.
Razaruddin said investigations into the matter were currently underway to ascertain the full extent of the situation.
"We will investigate; they were apprehended inside a house, not during duty hours and their supervisor is not responsible to check on them.
"Jaga tepi kain orang, bukan dalam kain (mind your own business). Their supervisors are only privy to matters during duty hours, not beyond," he said during today's press conference.
On Feb 2, Razarudin warned police chiefs that he would hold them responsible for any infractions by their subordinates.
Razarudin, addressing the force's top brass, senior officers and officers in charge of police districts nationwide at an event in Cheras recently, did not mince his words when he told those who cannot adequately manage their men to "just leave".
Online whistleblower channel Edisi Siasat had alleged that the suspects were busy packaging the ketum juice when they were nabbed.
"The lack of oversight by the Melaka police chief and the failure of the Melaka Tengah district police chief to manage this is unacceptable.
"The same applies to the Melaka Tengah Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, as well as the inadequate supervision by the Alor Gajah district police chief," the channel wrote.
The suspects included a deputy superintendent based at the state contingent headquarters, an inspector attached to the Melaka Tengah Serious Crimes Division, two sergeants, a lance corporal with the Alor Gajah district police, and a civilian.
The raiding party from Bukit Aman's Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) seized 5.2 litres of ketum liquid, which is classified as a psychotropic substance under the law.