IGP: Cops should not have allowed patrol car to be inspected

The police personnel who allowed a patrol car to be stopped and inspected by civilians in front of SJKC Chung Hua in Rantau last Saturday are in hot soup.

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said today that it is not proper for police personnel to allow persons without authority to carry out any form of inspection on enforcement authorities.

"They (police personnel) should not tolerate nor give in when it comes to matters pertaining to law enforcement," he told reporters after presenting service medals to 331 police personnel at the Malacca police headquarters in Bukit Beruang.

Fuzi said police officers should not allow the public to obstruct them, as civil servants, from discharging their duties, but noted that netizens were displeased by the five individuals who inspected the patrol car.

He added that the officers should have sought help from their colleagues who were close by, as there were 1,100 personnel on duty for the Rantau by-election.

"They (police) could have asked for help through various channels if the situation was urgent at the time, so there is no reason to let the public control or take action against civil servants who were carrying out the task of enforcing the law at the time."

Fuzi said the police had issued arrest warrants against five civilians involved in the incident and they have been remanded.

"We expect to open the investigation papers tomorrow and will be waiting for further instructions from the public prosecutor," he said.

Meanwhile, Fuzi said up to this morning, 251 police reports had been lodged against a Facebook account holder who had insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"So far, the police have yet to arrest anyone and we are still hunting down the suspect or suspects involved. Investigation papers on the matter have been opened," he said.

- Bernama