POLICING CORRUPTION - To battle corruption, our stick must be bigger than their carrot. WILL there be a change in the Kuala Lumpur police force next week? And, if so, by how much? The one-month deadline given by the Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief on Oct 14 for the force to eradicate illegal gambling in the federal capital is fast approaching. The existence of any outlet after that deadline will have dire consequences on district and police station chiefs, who have been threatened with disciplinary action and 24-hour transfers for failure to deliver. To ensure that the performance declarations made are true, there will be concerted monitoring by all levels of the Kuala Lumpur police force. That the Integrity and Standards Monitoring Department of Bukit Aman is the body tasked with checking the performance of every police district is clear indication that the aim is to combat corruption by breaking the link between illegal activities and members of the police force. This is a commendable move that ought to be replicated throughout the country. For, the possibility remains of criminals shutting down operations in Kuala Lumpur, only to set up elsewhere in the country where the policing of the police force is not as stringent. Additionally, if this is carried out properly and is not merely a statement of intent or an exercise in public relations, this should give Kuala Lumpur the much needed clean law enforcers to maintain law and order against a fast urbanising environment, where the pickings for crimes are undoubtedly most lucrative. Safety and security, after all, are among the factors included to determine the ranking of a country as an investment destination. Crime is no bedfellow of business; and illegal gambling is the soft underbelly of a sinister black economy that has made money laundering a large, international criminal enterprise. Hence, if the connection between illegal gambling and corrupt police officers is the weakest link that, when torn asunder, will put a stop to other crimes, then, so be it. After all, it is part of a boss’ duty to take responsibility for his or her staff’s misconduct. As the example of the Customs officers charged recently demonstrates, shame is a strong inducing factor to discourage others. In this instance, the impact should be more comprehensive as honest bosses will not want to take a fall for their minions. Key performance index aside, the threat of a 24-hour transfer should incentivise senior officers from taking a lackadaisical attitude towards corrupt practices in the force and adopt a hands-on approach. Raids based on intelligence will be an ongoing activity until the middle of this month, when Kuala Lumpur is expected to be free of illegal gambling. There should, too, be the same intense pressure put on all vice activities in the city and elsewhere. And, given that intelligence can be hobbled by bribes, the citizen informer comes into his or her own by reporting suspicious activities in the local vicinity. source : New straits Times nst.my/node/49698
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 08:03:25 +0000
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