IT felt like a breath of fresh air sweeping through the ballroom of St Giles Wembley Hotel when Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay addressed his favourite topic – integrity – at the Penang Crime Consciousness and Public Safety Society (CCPSS) Premier Forum recently.
Without mincing words, Ayob Khan emphasised that integrity is the cornerstone of any organisation – whether in ministries, government agencies, or elsewhere, particularly at the top management level.
“You may have the experience and a solid financial standing, but without integrity, everything will collapse. The same applies to the police force,” said Ayob Khan, the guest of honour at the forum, themed ‘Empowering Integrity and Crime Consciousness Towards Public Safety’.
He stressed that the call to uphold integrity is not just rhetoric; it requires action and a commitment to setting a good example, especially by national leaders, ministers, directors, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), and state executive councillors (EXCOs) among others.
In his powerful message, Ayob Khan noted that the current landscape is vastly different from the 90s and 2000s, as one mistake can now go viral, not just in Malaysia, but across the globe.
He added that without integrity, those in authority will lose the public’s respect. Therefore, integrity can never be compromised.
He acknowledged that officers and members of the Malaysian police (PDRM) have, at times, committed wrongdoings, but assured that only a small percentage is involved, likely 0.1 per cent of the 130,000-member workforce.
“We can do 1,000 things right, but just one wrongdoing will tarnish the police’s image,” he said.
Ayob Khan explained that officers with rank are particularly susceptible to temptations, not only in the form of bribery but also in terms of abuse of power, failing to follow procedures, or being careless in carrying out their duties.
“We can have all sorts of strategies and plans, but if we don’t carry out our duties responsibly, the strategies will remain just that – strategies on paper,” he said.
Ayob Khan revealed that last year, disciplinary action was taken against 1,429 police officers, both senior and junior. Of these, 134 were dismissed, 819 received warnings, 211 were fined, 190 had their emoluments forfeited, 18 had their salary movements suspended, 34 had their salaries reduced, and 23 were demoted.
The recorded offences involved various forms of misconduct, with the highest number related to integrity – 1,072 cases, followed by crimes (98), drug abuse (95), governance issues (91), syariah violations (40), and corruption (33).
He noted that while the police have an internal investigation mechanism through the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department, the Home Ministry conducts an external investigation through the Independent Police Conduct Commission.
Members of the public who are dissatisfied with the results of the police’s internal investigation can lodge a complaint with the commission.
Ayob Khan congratulated CCPSS for acting as a bridge between the police and society in promoting public safety and security.
CCPSS chairman Datuk Zainudin Ahmad, the former deputy director of the Narcotics Investigation Department at Bukit Aman, shared that his association has organised several community programmes in collaboration with the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
He mentioned that during the Covid-19 pandemic, CCPSS worked with the police and Fire and Rescue Department to donate aid to 1,000 families, launched an anti-bullying campaign in schools, and assisted the police in addressing individuals with suicidal tendencies during the lockdown.
Ayob Khan later presented certificates to the forum’s moderator and former state Education director Datuk Abdul Said Hussain, and panellists CCPSS chairman Zainudin; former Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Saadan Moktar, former Penang Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) director Tuan Ruslan Tuan Mat, and former Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Unity Dr Kang Tong Hum. He also presented certificates of appreciation to all members of the CCPSS.
Also present at the launch of the forum were state executive councillor for Housing and Environment, Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan, Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, Penang Chief Police Officer Comm Datuk Azizee Ismail, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, Forum special adviser Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin, CCPSS chief executive strategic advisor Seah Kok Heng, CCPSS honorary president Datuk Annie Chin and CCPSS treasurer Dr Tan Yen Wooi.
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis