POLICE are probing a case of possible bribery following a viral video which shows a traffic policeman allegedly issuing and offering to settle a summons on the spot for a popular YouTube couple from the United Kingdom.
Bukit Aman Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department director Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said they were made aware of the video yesterday and have initiated an investigation.
He said the police will not tolerate any misconduct by their personnel, and advised the public not to speculate on the incident.
He said the police would keep the public informed on the progress of the investigation and subsequent actions to be taken.
In the video, Chris and Marianne Fisher from Shropshire in the UK, who are known for their YouTube channel 'TREAD the globe', were stopped by traffic police in Ipoh for alleged speeding.
A recording of the interaction was uploaded on the channel as well as their X account. It shows the traffic policeman speaking to the couple at the front driver's window.
The 51-second video clip is an excerpt from a 30-minute YouTube video posted by the British couple which was shot with their onboard camera.
In the video, a policeman (with his face blurred) is seen purportedly telling the couple that he was going to issue a summons for speeding which they would have to settle at a police station.
The officer is heard telling them that the speed limit was 60 km/h while they were travelling at 70.5km/ h.
Marianne, who appeared shocked, apologised for not noticing the speed limit and asked the policeman what the next step was.
The policeman informs them that he would issue them a summons and they would have to pay it at the police station, to which Marianne agreed.
However, the policeman then made them an "offer".
"I'll issue a summons and you pay at the police station. If you pay at the police station, it's RM300. Pay here is RM100. Can?" the policeman is heard in the video.
Marianne agreed and gave him the money handed to her by Chris. She asked if there was any paperwork.
In the video, the policeman is heard speaking to someone over his walkie-talkie before telling Marianne that it was 'settled' before walking away.
Mohd Azman urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the police at 03-22663356 (traffic enforcement control centre) or email [email protected].
The incident has since drawn widespread condemnation from social media users, who panned the policeman for bringing the country into disrepute. – The Vibes, January 29, 2024
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