ABU-HINDRAF FRACAS – SIGNS OF A FAILED POLICE FORCE

The ABU-Hindraf gathering at Jalan Kebun, Shah Alam on 21 January 2012 that ended up being roughed up by Malay thugs and ruffians allegedly at the behest of UMNO and in connivance with the local police proves that this country is at the verge of a total collapse of civility, respect and tolerance. Viewing the video that was uploaded in several blogs, it was clear that the fracas was started by a group of thugs led by one Muhamad Razali alias Baharom. I do not know if he is from the force or paid by someone to create trouble, but one thing was certain i.e. from the language uttered by the thug, it was derogatory aimed at the Indian community intent at causing a riot.

My question is what if it were an Indian guy that started the fracas and the audience were mainly Malays? I am quite sure there will be a riot and the police will be there in droves and in double quick time making the arrest. What is actually happening to this country today, especially that of the police force that is suppose to protect us? Is the government in control or have they lost the interest to run this country? Or has that responsibility to govern being handed over to the police? Can Home Minister Hishamuddin say something please? Where are the 60,000 security guards that the government has been talking about? Blue Ocean strategy they say.

I am utterly disgusted at the initial response by the state police officer whose remark reflects total ignorance, arrogance, lack responsibility and incompetency. I just wonder where he was when the trouble was brewing. Was he at home or attending a kenduri kahwin somewhere? Wasn’t he briefed by his officers or was the briefing given by the thugs themselves? And now he comes up with a statement that they have arrested six people whose age ranges from 16 to 19 years old. But the video shows that the main perpetrator to be someone much older and a fatso. Why hasn’t this thug being arrested? Or has he being told to go into hiding until all is safe and clear?

If this is what we call efficiency of the police force, then I beg to differ. If the police had responded well and professionally, they could have affected arrest that same night because there was police presence that was witnessed to the fracas. Obviously the policemen that were there didn't have the slightest clue as to how to react and to control the situation. This clearly shows the standard of training of the policemen now that were no better than the Rela guards. I am sorry to say this because I have many police friends, but I believe they too are equally disappointed at the lack of professionalism in the policemen. Had they been some military guys, I would have hit at them much harder.

I do not know if the six and several others will be charged for causing a public disturbance. Whatever the outcome, the punishment must be seen to be punitive and not just a simple fine and a warning. This incident could have caused a racial riot that we do not wish to experience it once more.

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

A DAMNING ARTICLE – POLICE AND THE UNDERWORLD WARLORD

Malaysia Today, Wednesday, 16 February 2011 posted an article title, ‘The Warlords And The De Facto IGP’ that chronicles in detail a scheme that seemingly protects the ‘evil’ and demonize the ‘good’. The evil that I am referring to are those of the underworld warlords that operate brothels and the gambling trade. The good here refers to the diligent police officers that perform their duties professionally, but are victimized by their very own people intent to protect the evil.

Reading from the article, it astounds me to note the level of clarity and the articulation of events and happenings that sounds too good to ignore and to disbelieve. I have no doubt that the writer of the article is someone from the force that is senior enough, or had provided details to someone who then wrote the piece.

The article not only accuses the IGP and some other senior police officers, but also accuses the minister Hishamuddin Hussein for being in the know of all the fraudulent acts and malice that goes on within the police force. The name of the suspected underworld warlord who goes with the honorific title of ‘Tan Sri’ sure makes a mockery of the title if the article proves to be true. Certainly, a piece that alledge minister Hishamuddin of a sex scandal (period unknown) with a lady from Muar, Johore makes the article even more juicer. Are we to believe this piece or not? Well, let’s wait an answer from the minister concern.

I am once again reminded of another minister who was caught on video having sex with a woman other than his wife, in a hotel in Muar some years ago. What a coincidence as both ministers are from Johore.

It frightens likeminded Malaysians and me that if this article is not thoroughly investigated, it will only bring disrepute to the police force that has already been under a hail of alleged misconduct and abuses, and to the government as well. Since a minister’s name has been implicated in the scheme, I would like to see what responses will come off him. Likewise, a speedy response from the top management within the police force is appropriate to quell any negative views that will impact the good name of the police force.

And to those innocent police officers that are deemed to have been victimized and wrong by your superiors, my call to them is to seek appropriate justice. Hold firmly to your belief that fate lies in the hands of the all mighty, and not in the hands of men.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

BREACHES IN NATIONAL SECURITY – WHOSE RESPONSIBILTY IS IT?

Home Minister, Hishamuddin speaks with a fork tongue. Having first denied that there was a security breach in the RMP by supposedly Israeli agents working for a communications company contracted by Bukit Aman, he then went on to announced that a thorough investigation of the alleged security breach will be carried out by four agencies of the government. Why four investigating agencies is mind boggling. To most, this only proves that there is some truth in the allegation that was brought about by Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament. What I thought is even more ridiculous is that the whistle-blower Anwar Ibrahim will now be investigated for having brought the issue out to public notice. And I am sure he will be made to look the valiant and a compulsive liar by the mainstream media.

I have read and known about this security breach in a posting by blogger Johari Ismail back in January 2009, but nothing much appeared in the mainstream media. I presume then that what was posted by Johari is irrelevant and baseless till now, when the story is forced out in Parliament, coupled with a stunning revelation by RPK who even had a copy of the minutes of discussion held between RMP officers and the Home Minister relating to the reported security breach posted in Malaysia Today. What caught my eyes is in the few last lines of the minutes which sought that the discussion be kept out from public notice. It is strange that a matter of such importance affecting national security be kept from public notice. I do not know whether Military Intelligence was aware of this when it was first made known to the police.

Now, who is the bigger liar………. Is it the whistle blower Anwar, Johari or the Home Minister? Sadly, even the IGP does not seem to agree that there was a security breach and his statement seemed to suggest that this whole affair is being concocted and politicized by Anwar for his political gain and a diversion from his on-going sodomy trial. If this is how our nation’s security agency views breaches of national security, and where the public is expected to remain silent, then I would say that we might as well not have a security agency at all.

In my 34 years of military service, I have had numerous opportunities working with the Police Special Branch officers on military operations. I have my highest respect and regards for their professionalism, and never was there a time where I was confronted with selfish police officers who placed their own service interest first over collective military/police interest. The many military success throughout the insurgency period is undeniably attributed to the support we got from the Police Special Branch. And having to hear about this security breach by purportedly Israeli agents within our police organization makes me to wonder what has become off our once renowned Police Special Branch. And the denial by the Home Minister and echoed by the IGP, is indeed frightening.

The question now is to what extend has the police organization and national security being breached? The public need to know, simply because national security is not only the concern of the police, the military or any other government security agencies, but it is also the concern of the ordinary public. How then could the government, and in particular the Home Minister expects the public to partake in ensuring national security when they (public) are oblivious to breaches of national security that could affect their daily lives? Or is it in the opinion of the Home Minister that it is him alone who has a complete say in matters of national security?

CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

DENIAL IS NOT THE ANSWER

Home Affairs Minister Hishamuddin Hussein has called upon the Malaysian Multimedia and Communications Commission (MMCC) to investigate the video clip aired on a website, showing a man being brutally assaulted by a group of men that allegedly occurred at a police station. I saw the video clip only once, and I refused to see it the second time. And I do not think it was play acting, but a dastardly inhumane act against a fellow human being. One is reminded of the brutal act of the US soldiers upon Iraqi prisoners at Abu Gharib prison camp that has shocked civil society.

What amazed me is the statement made by Hishamuddin that “the investigation is necessary to identify those involved in the clip, and stern punishment must be meted against those responsible for putting it online”. My understanding of that brief statement is for punishment to be meted against those responsible for posting the video online, and not upon those who brutalized the man. This sounds funny isn’t it, or do I understand it wrongly and if so, I stand to be corrected.

I would have understood if Hishamuddin had said that the people involved in brutalizing the man will be severely punished if the investigation proved to be true. But to punish somebody who leaked out the truth is insane to say the least. And I believe the video clip must be an inside job.

It is pointless for the authorities to deny that it is not an act by the police or any other government enforcement agency. It is crystal clear that a dastardly act has occurred, and it is only appropriate for the authorities to investigate thoroughly the people behind the act, and if the act did occur, appropriate punishment must be meted. This is the only way for the Home Ministry to redeem the trust that the people has for the police and other government enforcement agencies, that is now lost due to their own careless and unwarranted acts.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION