INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police Abdul Hamid Bador has reiterated there are cartels within the police service that are bent on removing him.

This is an extremely serious allegation, especially when Hamid has repeated it a few times before. It has to be clarified swiftly.

These revelations must be investigated thoroughly by way of an official investigation paper. It is obviously mutiny, as stipulated in the Police Act.

The problem would be to have an independent investigation, as the IGP is the complainant and wields great influence on any such investigation. Any criminal investigation under his command, from his allegation, will not be deemed neutral.

A police report must first be lodged as clearly there are criminal ingredients which will sieve admissible evidence from hearsay intelligence, apart from identifying the perpetrators. This will then facilitate the perspective for criminal charges to be framed.

Investigations will then explore other possible offences for high treason before the case is brought to the Attorney-General’s Chambers. Court proceedings must follow for the sake of transparency and deterrence.

The IGP cannot be seen as powerless to weed out these mutinous officers because it will affect his general command over his subordinates, and will inevitably affect and demoralise the overall command and control at all levels of rank in the service.

It can lead to a devastation of morale of the whole police service, which in turn, will affect the overall functions and roles of the police service as enshrined in the Police Act.

Public order and crime can spiral out of control if we do not get to the bottom of the IGP’s allegations.

We owe an explanation to all diligent serving police personnel and also to all the retired police officers, especially those who have sacrificed life and limb.

This situation also further enhances the need to implement the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill, which is long overdue, and would have been ideal to investigate this serious allegation as it stands now.

Action must not only be taken but seen to be taken firmly and fairly. Time is once again, of the essence. – March 19, 2021.

* 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.