Civil servants told to use proper channel in complaints.
Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has urged Abdul Hamid Bador to lodge a report over the latter’s allegations of political interference in the police force, saying such a report would pave the way for an investigation into the allegations.
“If the allegations are correct, first he has to follow the channels by making a report. From that report, people will take action…let the legal process take its own path,” Takiyuddin reportedly told journalists yesterday.
Takiyuddin also reportedly reminded public servants and senior officials to be careful when speaking on matters regarding the law and not make statements based on their emotions and feelings of dissatisfaction.
He said no one should arbitrarily interpret the provisions of the constitution because the law is clear.
“I wish to say that as a minister looking after the public service, I want to advise civil servants, government officers, especially heads of services in the government to be more careful when talking about matters related to law.
“For example, Article 140 of the constitution clearly states that for the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), there is a commission named the Police Force Commission (SPP).
“This is the commission which will handle matters related to promotions, discipline, welfare and so on of police personnel totalling almost 130,000,’’ he said.
Takiyuddin also reportedly said that if any issues crop up regarding the administration of any department, officers should not openly reveal such matters to the media and instead only disclose the matter in “meetings”.
Otherwise, he allegedly said, in the eye of the law the officers’ actions will be seen as “acts of disdain or reproach” against the government and policymakers.
Takiyuddin was commenting on a recent statement made by Abdul Hamid where he asked politicians to stop meddling in police affairs and said that a minister should not be the chairman of the Police Force Commission (PFC).
Last Friday, Hamid alleged that Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin — who is the current PFC chairman — interfered in police matters, causing the existence of different “camps” vying for power within the force.
Hamid also said that the PFC failed to look into many investigations of police misconduct, with its meetings only conducted four times a year, and in a supposedly unprofessional manner.