By Brigadier-General (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji
HOME Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin has admitted that it was his voice in the audio recording that discussed the selection of police directors and chief police officers (CPO) of states.
Although the Home Minister said there was nothing wrong with it, any right-thinking person could tell his conduct was ethically and administratively wrong.
Some of the comments he made in the audio recording were highly obnoxious that he must be censured.
Hamzah was heard to have said that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) only needs to present a list of senior officers for the posts of directors and the state CPOs, and unlike previously, the final decision is “we will decide”, which presumably means decided by the minister.
Although Article 140 of the Federal Constitution gives the Chairmanship of the Police Force Commission to the Home Minister, it does not mean he has the absolute power to make decision on promotions and appointments.
By convention, the IGP has much to say because he knows his men well and his views should be respected. What does the minister know about discipline and police personnel management? A minister comes and go. Politicians are stigmatised with cronyism and nepotism, whereas those in uniform are known for their integrity and they readily sacrifice and risk their lives in the line of duty.
Political meddling a bane to the nation
We are reminded of the 2013 Lahad Datu incident, a black mark in the history of our security forces that brought shame. Any veterans or even current serving officers of reasonable high ranking will agree. The then-Defence and Home Ministers had blundered. They behaved like generals calling the shots instead of allowing the real generals on the ground to do their jobs.
In the audio recording, Hamzah is alluded to saying his intention of giving promotion to “orang kita” and “budak kita” senior positions in the police force. This is utter abandonment of the principles of good governance where promotions should be on merits and not based on cronyism, from one’s own state or to please the royalty.
And referring to senior police officers as “budak” is an insult to all those in uniform. The ranks of senior police officers are given by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Most are still well respected long after their retirement. A minister is a nobody the moment he leaves office.
There is hierarchy in rank in the security forces. Those of lower ranks respect and take orders from higher ranking officials. For the military, in a war, if a commander orders his subordinates to sacrifice their lives in a do-or-die mission, the officers and men will follow his orders.
They fight for their commander and for the King. Calling their commanders “budak” is an unpardonable insult. This humiliation is equally felt by the men and women in the entire police force.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin must fire Hamzah for his insult, insolence and disregard for statutory functions of the police force. Retaining him gives the impression that ministers in the Perikatan Nasional Government are free to act above the law, with total disregard of principles and convention of good governance. It also means that the Perikatan Government is not serious in rooting out corruption.
With regards to the PFC Board, Patriot is of the view that the membership needs review. The Federal Constitution provides for up to six members to be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Instead of appointing retired police officers, the Police Directors should be appointed for the posts instead. – May 1, 2021
Brigadier-General (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji is the president of Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
