KUALA LUMPUR: When Ismail Omar takes over as the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), it will be just a case of “old wine in a new bottle”, according to the Human Rights Party.
Its pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar said he has his doubts about reforms in the police force taking place when Ismail assumes his post on Sept 13.
On Sept 1, Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein announced that Ismail will replace Musa Hassan as the new IGP.
Speaking to FMT, Uthayakumar, who is also a leader of Hindraf Makkal Sakthi, said it would be difficult for Ismail who had been in the police force for more than 30 years to institute any reforms.
“He is not the best candidate for the job. The police have the idea that they are above the law, which will be hard for Ismail to change as he himself is part and parcel of this culture.”
“He was in the force for more than three decades and the police culture is deeply rooted in him,” Uthayakumar said.
He described Ismail's appointment as “old wine in a new bottle”.
Who then is the best man for the job? Uthayakumar has his man: an army general.
“I urge the government to appoint a four-star army general to be the IGP.”
Uthayakumar said a military personnel can institute reforms by putting the police force on its toes all the time.
“Besides, there is almost zero corruption in the military. An army general as the IGP will never tolerate corruption in the force,” Uthayakumar said.
24-hour hotline
However, the Hindraf leader said if Ismail was serious about restoring the battered image of the police force, he should start by setting up a 24-hour hotline in his office to handle reports of abuse of power by the police.
“We have seen on how ineffective the Malaysian Control Centre is in handling such reports. Most of the times, the officers will just tell us that they need to get their investigating officers' approval before taking any further action. Sometimes they will put down the phone.”
“The hotline should be in operation even on weekends,” Uthayakumar said.
He added that only a senior ranking police officer should be in charge of the hotline.
“I suggest at least a deputy superintendent be on duty to handle all the incoming calls.”
He added that Ismail should also reply to all the letters sent by individuals and groups, which he claimed were never answered.
“He should at least acknowledge that he had received the letter within one week and let us know of the outcome every two weeks.”
“Ismail should also wipe out corruption in the force and make Malaysia a safe country again,” Uthayakumar said, adding that the new IGP should acknowledge that crime is soaring in the country.
Uthayakumar also expressed regret that while the authorities were quick in reprimanding rapper Namewee over his alleged racial slurs, they did not take action against Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra school principal, Siti Inshah Mansor, who had also allegedly uttered racist statements.
“This is selective prosecution and obviously race-based,” Uthayakumar said.
Namewee or Wee Meng Chee was grilled by the police on Aug 31 for allegedly producing a seditious music video which was posted on the YouTube.
The video is said to be a reaction over Siti Inshah's racial slurs on her pupils on Aug 12. (Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had set up a task force to investigate the allegations against the principal.)
Uthayakumar also said that it was vital for the government to pass the Race Relations Act soon to address this matter.
“The law should be supported by an independent commission with powers to address, investigate and punish the perpetrators.”
“If a large Muslim majority country like Indonesia can have such an Act to protect its citizens, why can't we?”asked Uthayakumar.
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