IT was almost surreal reading that a number of senior police officers implicated in the Macau scam.

The fact that such trusted and high-ranking personnel were allegedly involved in cheating so many Malaysians out of their life savings came as a complete shock.

It has marred the image of the police and can inevitably affect the trust and confidence of the public in the uniform. Senior officers of such high rank in positions of trust are expected to be epitome of integrity, honour and pride rather than suspected of being unscrupulous and merciless criminals.

If found guilty, they must face harsher punishment than normal for such gross abuse of trust. 

On the one hand, I can empathise with the inspector-general of police who cuts a forlorn figure, in his seemingly endless battle against corruption within the ranks.

But, at the other end of the spectrum, is the disappointment of his inability to propel the service to a higher level of transparency, accountability and responsibility. This situation was to some extent forewarned by the report of the royal commission to enhance the operation and management of the Royal Malaysian Police some 15 years ago.

The recommendations were tough and laid bare the shortcomings of the police. It provided remedies and reformative ideas in strengthening the integrity of the overall service.

Sadly, there was a lack of political will to see it through. More significantly was the fact that the panel comprised also the longest serving and most severely tested IGP, Hanif Omar, who served during the insurgency with great police honour, respect and sacrifice.

He led a police service that was highly respected and appreciated by everyone in the nation from all walks of life. He and the others in the panel had the best interests of the police service at heart when they came out with the findings.

It must have been even more difficult for Hanif to do so and yet he called a spade a spade and had to be cruel to be kind, especially with the proposal of the IPCMC.

Maybe he had the foresight to envision such shocking collaboration of some rogue officers as depicted in the ongoing Macau scam investigations. I call upon the present IGP to draw the same strength and fervour to relook at the 2005 royal commission s report and to adopt the findings. Better late than never. – November 20, 2020.

* 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.