All the national and state honours conferred on former Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor should be withdrawn as one of the five proposals to restore public confidence in the independence, professionlism and integrity of the police force

Media Statement
by Lim Kit Siang
 

(Petaling Jaya, Sunday): At the 193rd Police Day celebrations yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Bukit Aman must tackle abuses of power and corrupt practices within the police force to make it a graft-free organisation.

He said this must be done with full honesty, sincerity and responsibility as unprofessional conduct among police officers could threaten peace and security of the country.

He said: "Although a small number of policemen are involved in unhealthy activities, we do not want the majority, who are disciplined, to be ridiculed or condemned."

The Deputy Prime Minister’s strictures have failed to make any impact to restore the badly-shattered public confidence in the police, as it was  in the very inner sanctum of Bukit Aman that one of the most heinous police misdeeds in the entire history of the Malaysian police was committed 18 months ago - the assault of a defenceless, blind-folded and handcuffed former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to within an inch of his life by the then Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor, who subsequently lied to the whole country that Anwar was "safe and well" when he was in fact denied medical attention for five days after the assaults.

Public confidence in the independence, professionalism and integrity of the police force suffered another major blow when Rahim Noor was treated so leniently in court with the amendment of the earlier charge of attempting to cause grievous hurt entailing a maximum jail sentence of three-and-a-half years or fine or both to one of causing hurt with maximum jail sentence of one year and the light sentence of two months’ jail and RM2,000 fine.

Malaysians are also outraged by the discriminatory treatement given to Rahim Noor as compared to Anwar Ibrahim, who was denied bail from the first day of his arrest and during trial, while Rahim Noor was given VIP treatment - not even having to be handcuffed!

Where is the justice and fair play when social activists like the Penang  SOS (Save Ourselves) secretary Ong Boon Keong and Ooi Chuan Seng were handcuffed when arrested for trying to champion the plight of the tenants of pre-war premises by peaceful means  while Rahim Noor was never handcuffed although he nearly killed the former Deputy Prime Minister with his karate chops?

The Home Minister and the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Norian Mai should realise that the Police have not made much headway to restore public confidence in its independence, professionalism and integrity, and the following five proposals are among the steps that must be taken urgently  if the Police wants to  achieve this result:
 

 
(26/3/2000)

*Lim Kit Siang - DAP National Chairman