KOTA KINABALU – The “stupidity” of transferring nine police officers who are under investigation for an alleged extortion case to East Malaysia has been labelled as “insulting” by Sabah leaders.
Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said the decision to have such police officers transferred to the state is insulting.
“This stupidity in posting bad apples to Sabah is sure to trigger anger among Malaysians in the state,” he told The Vibes.
Meanwhile, PBS vice-president Datuk Johnny Mositun echoed similar sentiments, saying Sabah is not a dumping ground for compromised police officers.
“I hope this matter is not politicised. But I don’t think these officers should be transferred to Sabah,” he said, adding that party-mate Datuk Radin Malleh is opposed to the move.
They should be kept in Bukit Aman so they could be watched over by their bosses.”
Sabah Muda chief Amos Thien told The Vibes that the move was outrageous and proof that Sabah and Sarawak are being treated like stepsons by the federal government.
“The people of Sabah deserve better (officers). Please do not treat Sabah like a dumping ground.
“I urge the government to recruit more Sabahans and Sarawakians into the police force to serve in the respective states, rather than sending bad apples into the state.”
Activist Kabul Gindol concurred, saying that the people of Selangor would also be unhappy if “bad” cops were sent to their state.
“How would the people in Selangor feel if all the undisciplined officers were sent there? This will not solve the issue of problematic officers in the force, but only bring the same problem to Sabah.
Such a move is an insult to the people of Sabah and Sarawak. It has a colonial mentality in it. Just like how the British sent their convicts and wrongdoers to Australia in the past.”
On Sunday, Selangor deputy police chief S. Sasikala Devi said the nine officers – with ranks ranging from constables to sub-inspectors – had been posted to East Malaysia even though the investigations into their alleged involvement in an extortion case were ongoing.
The officers were detained last Saturday to assist in an investigation into an extortion case involving a businessman, believed to be related to drugs. – The Vibes, August 3, 2022
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