IGP wants higher salaries for lower-ranked policemen

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 10 Jun 2019 9:07PM · 4 Comments

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador says the needs of lower-ranked policemen will be given priority, especially in terms of pay. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 10, 2019.

THE salaries of lower-ranked police personnel, logistics and requirements will be given priority in efforts to enhance the integrity of the police force, says Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador.

He said the salaries earned by police personnel with the rank of sergeant and below were low and not enough to cover the cost of living, especially for those stationed in the cities.

“I ask the government to reconsider, as it is already enjoyed by policemen in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and in other developed countries.

“Only by raising the salaries that the risk of corruption can be reduced and other temptations to commit crimes (to earn money) can also be minimised,” he said.

Speaking to Bernama in a special interview today, he expressed his hope that the government would consider the services of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) personnel as special as they were entrusted with great and equally dangerous authority and power.

“When they don’t get the just rewards, the tendency to commit crime is wide open,” he said.

Hamid said in terms of members’ strength, the current number was adequate for the time being and all posts filled by the Public Service Department were also sufficient.

“I understand the government (financial) situation at this time but security business is not cheap… I appeal to the government to provide more allocation and Insha Allah as the IGP I will work to ensure that there will be no deviations in the provisions allocated,” he said.

He said earlier that there were voices saying the allocation for the police force did not reach the target and there were allegations of irregularities both at the state and contingent levels.

“Shoes and uniform (from the allocation) did not reach police officers and personnel that they are forced to use their own money to cover the costs and the system also requires them to submit the receipts so that they can claim for reimbursement,” he said.

Recognising the needs of the lower ranked policemen, Hamid said he would update the logistics and based on his visits thus far he found that there were police stations in dilapidated conditions.

During his visit to the Tanah Merah police station (after Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan) which has 10 police personnel, he saw that the police quarters to house four families were in dire need of repairs.

“By right, the repair works shouldn’t be that costly, compared to RM300 per month (RM3,600 a year) of house allowance for each family that the government is forced to spend… and that’s only house allowance.

He said police personnel living in rented accommodation also faced challenges due to their irregular working hours as they had to fork out their own money when using their own vehicles to commute to and fro the police station. – Bernama, June 10, 2019.

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Comments

  • Truly Right IGP

    Posted 7 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

  • Assumption can be made that the corruption will be lesser with higher salary but how about high rank officers..are they corrupt free? In short, the integrity is the main issue instead of the salary.

    Posted 7 years ago by Chong Choong Kian · Reply

  • In Australia the police constables are paid about A$4000. What we pay our constables are peanuts and they have to risk their lives for the nation. Basically they are paid just above the minimum wage which is ludicrous.The government must listen to the IGP. Fix all the problems faced by our cops and you can be assured you will get their votes next election.

    Posted 7 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

  • Absolutely correct.!! It is high time that the remuneration package for those in the security especially PDRM and Arm Forces be reviewed.. Look also into the racial composition. The academic guardband to recruits should be reviewed to raise the level of competent law enforcer rather than recruiting school drop outs of mid secondary . Law enforcer needs to have the ability and competency to comprehend the legal aspect in their daily task . This will also provide the opportunity for them to futher improve themselves academically and future promotions. We should be emulating what the developed countries are doing. Give it a thought Mr. IGP.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply