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Malaysia’s high-ranking cops demand sponsors from their men: Sources

KUALA LUMPUR — A contributing factor to rampant police corruption in Malaysia is how high-ranking officers have allegedly demanded “sponsorship” from their men ranging from money to gifts, according to a New Sunday Times report.

A former inspector being brought to court in Kota Bharu, Kelantan on May 18. After the recent arrests of policemen by the MACC, police sources said they received WhatsApp messages asking them to stop entertaining demands from their superiors. Photo: NST

A former inspector being brought to court in Kota Bharu, Kelantan on May 18. After the recent arrests of policemen by the MACC, police sources said they received WhatsApp messages asking them to stop entertaining demands from their superiors. Photo: NST

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KUALA LUMPUR — A contributing factor to rampant police corruption in Malaysia is how high-ranking officers have allegedly demanded “sponsorship” from their men ranging from money to gifts, according to a New Sunday Times report.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, several sources within the force said such a practice had forced policemen, especially those at the district-level, to find “extra income”.

The practice, they said, had become a culture and a bane to policemen nationwide.

They said while it was undeniable that many cases of graft in the force happened because of greed, there were also those who succumbed to pressure as they felt compelled to entertain demands from their higher-ups.

“Demands (from higher-ranking officers) for ‘sponsors’ happen all the time. Whenever there are events like dinners or mess nights, even sporting events, there would be requests for sponsors of jerseys and other items,” said a source.

Another source said it was normal practice for higher-ranking officers to call their men and demand contributions whenever their unit or department organised an event.

These contributions are said to be up to hundreds of ringgit per person, depending on the rank, with officers usually having to pay more.

Sources claimed that the ridiculous demands had led to policemen having to turn to syndicates, who were more than willing to pay as long as their illicit businesses were kept under the enforcement radar. “It is not a secret that this is happening, but many just turn a blind eye because they know the predicament policemen face. Even those with high salaries cannot afford to pay for these contributions and sponsorships out of their own pocket,” said a source.

The New Sunday Times was also told of text messages, said to have gone viral on WhatsApp groups among policemen, urging fellow colleagues to stop entertaining such demands from their superiors.

Sources said these messages started circulating after the recent arrests of policemen, including district police chiefs, by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Last week, a Malaysian court ordered a police officer to be remanded for six days in a widening corruption probe in Malacca involving gambling dens and massage parlours. He joined six other ranking officers — an assistant commissioner, three superintendents and two inspectors — caught in an intensifying swoop on policemen in the pay of vice dens.

This came just after 16 cops from the narcotics department were busted, allegedly for collecting protection money from drug syndicates, as observers warned that the police force risks losing the trust of the public.

One of the circulated WhatsApp messages details how district police chiefs have to entertain demands of their superiors, who allegedly wanted “everything to be ready for them” whenever they visit.

These include accommodation, food and entertainment, regardless if they were there for official business or otherwise.

“Whether it’s official or not, when they call the police chief (of a state), the police chief would tell the relevant OCPD (Officer Commanding Police District) to make ‘arrangements’,” said one of the messages.

“How many thousands of ringgit do these OCPDs have to fork out every month? Where else can they get the money? Do you expect them to use their own salary? That (bribes) is the only way to make side income. But, when officers or even OCPDs get busted (for graft), no one comes to help. Instead, they put even more pressure on the officers, pretending not to know what was happening.”

Another text started with a reminder to “all OCPDs, OCS (Officer in-Charge of Station), and Formation chiefs” to just entertain higher-ups from headquarters according to their means.

Crafted with sarcasm, the message said high-ranking officers should be entertained with fried noodles, curry puffs and tea as they had allowances for their visits. “We don’t even entertain our own families to a RM1,000 (S$321) meal. So, why do we care what they (the superiors) think? As long as we entertain them as guests, it is enough,” read the message.

“If there is any element of being forced to do so, just report it to the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission or the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission. And, if this still doesn’t work, just viral it so civilians would know what is happening and these officers would be shamed.”

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said federal police were aware that such incidents might have happened and were looking into them. He said the police would ensure such a practice was not part of the force’s culture.

But he also warned that should lower-ranked officers and rank-and-file policemen face such “requests”, they should report the matter and not use it as an excuse for corruption.

“If they commit an offence, be ready to face the music instead of pointing fingers. But, we are looking into the matter. I do not deny 100 per cent (that such a culture exists), but we are looking into this and we will make sure it does not happen,” said Mr Noor Rashid.

“It all comes back to the individual. There is an order preventing such a practice, and if a policeman is forced by his or her superior (to make cash contributions or get sponsors), they can report to a higher-rank officer or to our disciplinary department. We will take action.” NEW SUNDAY TIMES

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