YOURSAY | Sign of the times - even onions used as 'bribe'

YOURSAY | ‘The lorry attendant actually made a police report. Well done, sir, good job.’

Lorry assistant claims cops demanded onions for Negeri border crossing

MarioT: Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Dr Mahathir Mohamad introduced New Economic Policy (NEP) to uplift the Malays economically.

It then opened a floodgate to authority without dignity as a mixed civil service was replaced with one of total dominance by one race.

It then led to the creation of a lot of little Napoleons within the civil service that operated almost unchecked, thus giving room to enrich themselves.

Over time, this contagious disease spread over a major part of the civil service to the point of bribery at every nook and corner.

It has now reached an alarming level, and the only way to curb it is to revamp the entire civil service starting from the top, followed by imposing severe punishment for anyone caught accepting bribes.

Without a concerted effort by the government, it will continue to plague the nation. Sadly, even Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin does not want to address this issue, perhaps for his own political survival.

Corruption is viewed as the scourge of a nation, but the authorities seem to concentrate on less important matters, especially on matters of non-Malay interests.

One former PM has been convicted of this crime. It goes to show the magnitude of this problem.

Mugi: PAS leaders Abdul Hadi Awang and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, is the alleged police's demand or extortion syariah compliant?

Why are you not addressing this sort of issue instead of harping on who and where to sell liquor?

RedRusa3189: This is not bribery anymore. It's extortion.

Malaysia is no longer a safe place to call home. There will come a time when thugs are more honourable than enforcement officers.

Pegasus: What is happening to our cops these days? There are so many cases of them breaking the law.

The government should investigate and find out why. Perhaps their salary is no longer able to support them and their families. If so, the government will need to increase their salaries.

Something needs to be done. The inspector-general of police (IGP) has to do more for them.

Against Traitors: Please don't drag the IGP into this case. He is busy tracking down Indira Gandhi's daughter and Jho Low.

Neutral Point: Often, you can see police erecting roadblocks or hiding under the bridge to catch drivers without their safety belt on. Are they doing this because of their sense of duty, or is it for other purposes?

There are many other traffic offences. For example:

1. Using the mobile phone while driving

2. Using emergency lane

3. Motorbikes using the Federal Highway which was prohibited 40 years ago

4. Motorbikes beating traffic lights, especially food delivery services

5. Jumping queue

6. Making U-turn at traffic lights

7. Speeding

May I know how setting up roadblocks can catch these traffic offenders?

Vijay47: Two surprises here. First, that the lorry attendant actually made a police report. Well done, sir, good job.

Secondly, that the lorry attendant was not arrested. He managed to live and tell the tale.

Baa Baa Black Sheep had three bags full of wool. And the police officer at the roadblock allegedly had two bags of onions? They must have been crying all the way to the bank.

Dr Raman: Yes, everyone should reject bribery. And make a police report. I just hope the police will take action, not just impose in-house disciplinary action.

This case, if true, calls for corruption or abuse of power charges. So shameful indeed.

GreenViper4010: How can one blame our poor police?

They are only following the example of their icons - Najib Abdul Razak, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Mohamad Khir Toyo... each of them stalwarts of righteousness, honesty and fair play.

They are great role models. It would be crazy not to emulate them.

Falcon: Now, even onions?

If one cannot respect the uniform they wear, and what it stands for, better leave the force instead of damaging the brand.

But if it’s a transfer, desk duties or cold storage rather than the sack as punishment, it defeats the purpose.

Ipoh Pp: It looks like onions are valuable items now as price has gone up recently. This is barter trade. Very innovative.

Newday: If true, it just demonstrates how some in the police force treat policing as a joke. The roadblock attitude of ‘must get something’ is really a power trip of overt harassment.

If investigated and confirmed, I suggest the punishment to be the officers tied to chairs and forced to peel and chop the two bags of onions, with a chopping board on their laps and no way to avoid the fumes.

Of course, all done in full public view in front of the said roadblock.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.