IT was not proper for the police to make biased comments on wanted businessman Low Taek Jho’s guilt pertaining to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal prior to court proceedings.

He is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. This unprofessional statement caught many by surprise as it lends further credence to Low’s argument that he will be unable to get a fair trial here.

Such inexperienced and incompetent statements can be toxic to the whole effectiveness of the criminal justice system. This, coupled with a police officer who in an open enquiry tried to justify corruption for logistical shortfalls, was equally shocking!

There is no justification for corruption and abuse of power in any organisation, for any reason whatsoever. No doubt there have been shortfalls in police logistics in the past but this immoral claim that corruption is needed to plug stationary shortfalls to get the job done is farcical.

It does not do justice to all the honest police personnel, past and present, who have done their best with whatever limited resources at hand throughout their service. Most servicemen will tell you how they made do with torrid logistics during their tour of duty.

They took great pride in carrying out their duties and responsibilities to the best of their abilities in the most difficult conditions. The General Operations Force and their jungle exploits against the enemy have enough examples of such logistical hardships.

Stationary shortages are a shameless reason to justify corruption!

Over the years, police have improved logistics tremendously. The men in blue nowadays have better salary, housing, higher allowances, broader career advancement opportunities, etc. There is no reason to resort to corruption.

These reckless statements reflect the inability to understand and grasp the real meaning in adhering to the rule of law. It signifies the combination of dishonesty and incompetence.

The concoction of these dangerous traits have been infused in the past, into our system “over the table:. This was supposed to be the focus in the change promised by New Malaysia.

Reforms thus far have been slow and unconvincing. Corruption and abuse of power can evolve even more in an incompetent organisation.

The police must be able to call a spade a spade without being subservient to external influence. Honesty and integrity alone are insufficient without competence.

Relevant knowledge and experience are compulsory requirements in making the criminal justice system strong and capable of delivering justice.

The rule of law must be applied to all equally regardless of race, colour or creed. Natural justice must always be the guiding light moving in tandem with the rule of law. All enforcement agencies must adhere to this paradigm strictly, independently and firmly.

Selective applications in the rule of  law, to the whims and fancies of the political landscape will be the undoing of New Malaysia and the nation in the long run.

Competency and integrity will be the telling factor in the days ahead for all in the corridors of power. – November 7, 2019.

* G. Selva reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.