KUALA LUMPUR – Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador regards the act of hurling various accusations at the police, to an extent that it has created a negative perception of the force, as a stunt by individuals who want to be “popular”.
He said claims, such as calling the police cruel for imposing stern action, including hefty compounds, is inappropriate, as every police action is in accordance with the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 in an effort to break the chain of Covid-19 infections.
“People take advantage; some want to be popular, (so) they throw all sorts of wild accusations and then hide their hands. An example is the case in Lahad Datu, where the police allegedly arrested many beggars there.
“Actually, in Pala’u, people can be seen begging at almost every traffic light there, so the police went to arrest them (in light of) the current situation with the virus spreading.
“In Sabah, the number of cases has dropped to 35, and we want to reduce it further.
“Therefore, the police must take action to prevent (the beggars) from roaming around as they may be infected. So the police arrested them, but what came out in the news is that the police imposed compound actions of RM10,000 against them.
“The real story is that we arrested them under the immigration act, and then handed them over to the Social Welfare Department. There was no compound issued... we know they can’t afford the compound – they don’t even have RM5, what more RM10,000.
“So, to say that the police are cruel is indeed unfair,” he told Bernama.
Similarly, he said, was a case involving a man and his lover who were allegedly issued with a compound of RM10,000 recently while eating and drinking in Cheras.
He said this action was not taken by the police, but by another government agency.
As such, he said, the public should be more mature and not simply accuse the police, as any action taken by them is in the people’s interest and to curb the spread of Covid-19.
He said the action of police personnel as enforcers of the law is in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
“The law comes under the jurisdiction of the Health Ministry... We were asked and authorised to assist the ministry in enforcing the law,” he said, adding that the issue of the RM10,000 compound had been discussed since the third wave of Covid-19, when new clusters emerged and began to spread in the community.
Hamid said the RM10,000 compound is not intended for first-time offenders, but rather for those who are found repeatedly violating standard operating procedures.
He said those who feel victimised and think they are not guilty can appeal to the Health Ministry through their respective district health offices where the compound notices were issued. – Bernama, March 17, 2021
