Public advised to lodge report of any wrongdoings including those committed by cops
KUCHING: The police yesterday advised the public to lodge police reports if they thought police personnel were involved in criminal activities.
If they just complained to their respective elected representative out of fear of reprisal, the police force could not take any action against errant policeman or even start an investigation, said Kuching deputy police chief Supt Pauzi Bujang.
Dont just complain. Lodge police report so that we can take action against offenders even if they are our men, he said when contacted.
Pauzi was asked to comment on a statement by Sarawak DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen, who is also Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament that some policemen were soliciting from businessmen and traders for the purchase of dinner tables.
Chong had told a press conference that the DAP would be seeking clarification from the police whether the complaints were true.
The MP had said he had received complaints from businessmen and small traders around here that policemen wearing plainclothes and badges went around to their premises and solicited sponsorships in consideration for police stickers and crests.
The traders, he claimed, had complained to him personally because they were afraid the policemen might take revenge.
Chong, who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman said he would also want to know whether these policemen were bogus cops.
He said the dinner tables or sponsorships were those related to the Fiesta Skuad 69 PDRM themed Dimana Ku Cari Ganti slated for March 29 at Penview Hotel here. He said the incidents happened sometimes this month.
Short of saying this act of soliciting fund would promote corruption, Chong added they involved the selling of favours and favouritism.
He said sale of police stickers and crests were prohibited by the police force.
When told about the dinner, Pauzi pointed out that Skuad 69 PDRM was an association for ex-policemen and they had got nothing to do with the present policemen.
Nevertheless, he urged the complainants to lodge police report if there were criminal elements in the incidents in question.