INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani has rightly called on the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) to investigate allegations of growing criminal influence on the police force.

The allegation, brought to light by his predecessor Abdul Hamid Bador, is serious and warrants immediate investigation.

But this is putting the horse ahead of the cart. An independent inquiry should only be set up after a thorough criminal investigation. The EAIC is ill-equipped to handle this probe.

It is not an easy task to delve deep into the police domain especially when you investigate those who have influential links within the system, have access to arms and have more experience in dealing with investigations into the criminal mind.

The EAIC members do not have the experience, logistics, manpower and the sheer might to contain a potentially dangerous situation that could involve high ranking police suspects.

It can be overwhelmingly difficult and risky for less experienced investigators to deal with diabolical, hardboiled suspects.

The EAIC’s powers pale in comparison to the police’s and this will blunt the effectiveness of the probe overall and especially in the procedures of searches, seizures, arrests, detention and interrogation.

These are procedures that go hand in glove with a probe to establish crime, apprehend the offenders and  prosecute them in court.

On the other hand, an investigations could also disprove the former IGP’s claims. One wonders if any action will be taken against him for making false allegations, if such were to be the case.

It is therefore my opinion that the investigation should have the participation of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), an agency whose powers are at par with the police.

It is the most practical recourse available now. Experienced officers could then be seconded to assist the EAIC.

The EAIC can thus tap into the MACC resources, including its full investigative powers as prescribed in the criminal code, and logistics and manpower support. It will also lend confidence and credibility to the probe.

There must now be a swift plan to put this motion into play and to ensure that the special task force reports to an independent authority.

It must also be emphasised that the longer the delay in getting to the bottom of these serious allegations, the more problems there will be in ensuring that all the evidence is secured as soon as possible.

Evidence can deteriorate with time. We must remember that these are not ordinary suspects but experienced police officers within the system who have been called out by their former IGP as wolves in sheep clothing.

They must be viewed and treated as serious security threats. It will be unwise to do otherwise. – June 3, 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.