KUALA LUMPUR: The public may have heard of the police’s past promises to eradicate vice dens in the country and have been dismayed by the apparent lack of progress, but the new inspector-general of police says it will be a reality under his watch.
Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador, who assumed the post just over a month ago, said under his leadership, he and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director would target “the head” — crime lords and syndicate bosses.
“I have made it clear that when police raid vice dens, we will no longer focus on rounding up their patrons or just searching the premises. We are going after the gambling syndicate bosses.
“Yes... that (reining in these syndicate chieftains) is my ultimate goal. As I said from the very beginning, I am against the kind of connections that the police have enjoyed all this while with these individuals.
“The culture of being pally-pally with syndicate bosses and shady characters has permeated the force. This, I cannot hide. It is true and is the talk of the town.
“I want to clean up the police force and I made this clear to my men. Illegal gambling operations that have been going on for so long have to stop, once and for all,” he said at his office at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman here yesterday.
The newly-minted IGP is the first guest to be featured on “NST Insight: Conversations”.
Asked if he and CID director Datuk Huzir Mohamed knew exactly who the syndicate chiefs were, he said they did.
Hamid said he understood the public scepticism with regard to his pledge, considering the negative perception that had plagued his organisation, one which he was determined to change.
“This is going to be different. As I said, I walk the talk. I have given my men enough time to look back, take stock of where they are and return to the right path before it’s too late... before they are made to do the walk of shame in the jumpsuit. I mean it. When I do act, don’t accuse me of not giving you adequate warning.”
He said vice activities were a real threat to the country and must be eradicated once and for all.
“I want to stop these operations. They tear away at the fabric of society. There will be no more ‘deals’, no more plea bargains, no more people getting off scot-free. This is not a movie. Where these crime lords are concerned, mark my words.”
To a question, Hamid said he would put a stop to the police practice of disciplining their men “internally” when they breached the country’s laws.
“That was the wrong move by the police. Under my watch, if there are accusations against my men for any crime, I want them to be dealt with under general laws.
“Failing that, maybe due to a lack of evidence for instance, only then will the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department come in. Otherwise, they will be treated just like anyone else.
“I am not going to show mercy on them because we have given them ample warning. They have also been given reminders from time to time to adhere to the disciplinary requirements. I am stopping the practice of giving them preferential treatment just because they are police.”
