Today in Malaysia, two positions are seen as highly watched: the inspector-general of police (IGP) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner. Both come with high responsibilities and expectations and are stressful as they are among the toughest jobs in the public service.
Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani was appointed as the new IGP on May 5. He became the 13th IGP, taking over from Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, who served since May 2019.
Our policemen put their lives on the line to serve the public. At times it seems like a thankless job as the plaudits are few and far between.
Recently, Hamid cast doubt on the role and independence of the Police Force Commission (SPP), chaired by the home minister. He claimed that the commission and the minister had no authority to run the police force, and it is the responsibility of the IGP to appoint people to senior positions in the force.
Former IGP Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar also weighed in on this matter, stating that the Police Act 1967 gives the IGP the sole power to "command and control" the force.
The future of the force will be dependent on the strategies the new IGP adopts.
For a start, he has identified three focus areas to enhance
the police force: strengthening internal integrity, the service delivery system and supporting efforts to maintain society's wellbeing.
It is refreshing to note that integrity will receive the IGP's attention. To gain public trust, Acryl Sani should continue the legacy of the previous IGP by cleaning up the force of corrupt practices and getting rid of rogue elements that abuse their authority and tarnish the department's reputation.
The force must confront officers who are "poisoning the well" and weed them out. This is based on the arrests of police officers and surveys conducted on the force.
According to Transparency International's General Corruption Barometer 2020, the public perceives the police force as one
of the most corrupted institutions.
The police have many capable leaders who are working tirelessly to clean up the force and get rid of personnel who abuse their authority or mar its image. The government should support their efforts.
The police and the commission must identify and recognise good leaders in the organisation to achieve this. A good leader possesses three qualities:
MERIT — assessed through one's experience and professionalism in the job;
BOLD — not afraid to uphold the truth even when directed to do something unlawful, and;
STRONG ETHICAL CHARACTER — is known not to have done anything illegal for personal interest.
Sadly, the last two criteria seem to be lacking. Without integrity, everything the department does will be viewed as flawed. It also does a disservice to fellow police officers who serve with dedication and integrity.
To regain public confidence, every officer needs to work professionally and without compromising on integrity. Together with keeping politics out of policing and ensuring no political
interference in police administration, these will be viewed as positive steps in regaining public trust.
The IGP should set an example. He must be "whiter than white" and commit to recognising
integrity among his officers,
preventing internal conflict, supervising and training them better.
Raising policing standards, enhancing professionalism, strengthening his Inspector General Standing Order, reviewing previous reform programmes and relooking into the business of promotions and building public respect for law enforcement personnel are others.
Acryl Sani, who has 35 years of experience, can put his expertise to good use by strengthening the force and enhancing integrity at all levels.
The SPP should be revamped, structured similar to the Civil Service Commission to ensure
integrity is not compromised, and not appear to function similar to a rubber stamp. Steer the SPP to a position of independence and don't allow political interference, including in the appointments of new directors at Bukit Aman.
The police force should keep fighting internal corruption and continue eliminating business cartels and organised crime. These are pertinent questions that time and the IGP, along with the government, will answer.
Their strategies and actions will give a clearer picture of the force's immediate future.
The people want to be proud of a police force that diligently performs its duties of keeping law and order and protecting the country while maintaining the highest level of integrity.
Let's all work together to make this a reality.
The writer is President, Malaysia Association of Certified Fraud Examiners