Act if allegations untrue, says Hanif

KUALA LUMPUR (June 18, 2007): Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan should take action if the allegations that police are not taking action against organised crime are not true.
Former IGP Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar said today Musa should be concerned about recent allegations highlighted in a political website(Malaysia Today) as the credibility of the police force will be damaged by such allegations.
"Police work requires credibility and public perception of the police's ability and willingness to function is extremely important," Hanif told reporters at a press conference following his induction as an honorary member of the Pudu Rotary Club.
"Thus, the management of public perception of the police force is very important."
Two weeks ago, it was alleged in a political website that gambling, loan-sharking, drugs and human trafficking in the peninsula was rampant as the authorities have been corrupt and turning a blind eye to such activities.
Asked whether Musa should come out to clarify the allegations, Hanif, who was IGP for 20 years, said:
"I will leave that to him and what he considers important or not. That is a question of perception.
"The IGP, surely, must be concerned if it is being damaged by something like this openly and if the allegations are not true, action should be taken," he told reporters
Hanif said inaction might cause people to take these allegations as being true and they might believe that the extent of corruption is the root of the problem.
"We may keep on tightening the laws but effective enforcement of the laws is the key (to solve the problems)," he said.
In his column in an English newspaper on Sunday, Hanif who had described the allegations as "exceptionally defamatory" and that " it won't not do for the maligned authorities to merely wish them away".
Earlier, during his talk on "The Malaysian Journey" at the Pudu Rotary Club luncheon, Hanif said when he was the IGP, the Rukun Tetangga neighbourhood watch patrols was introduced and people were keen to take part in it to safeguard their neighbourhoods.
However, when the crime rate had gone down, he said people stopped the patrols and that caused the crime rate to rise again.
"If you also have an efficient police force that is dedicated and cannot be bought (crime can be controlled). Otherwise, they (police) can allow crimes to grow if they are corrupt," he said.

tunku : i had read the allegation at malaysia today(http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/corridors.php?itemid=5150) and it is a very very serious allegation that the police force particularly the IGP should act on this report if it's not true. if the police force follows abdullah's elegant silence style than the public will definitely says that the allegation are true and it will be the end of pdrm's reputation.although i don't believe the allegation but still i would like the police to act fast on this before thing gets worst.