KUCHING, Aug 3: The transfer of nine problematic cops to Sarawak and Sabah is “temporary” as part of the police’s investigation strategy and exercising best control to ensure investigation work can be completed smoothly, said Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang.
He said this when responding to news reports that nine police officers under investigation for an alleged extortion case in Gombak, Selangor were relocated to Sarawak and Sabah, which was met with backlash from the public as well as politicians from the two Bornean states.
As a former police investigator, Idris explained that during the investigation process into a case, the police would take measures to “restrain and constrain” the suspected officers to a certain geographical location.
“This is to ensure investigations into these officers can be carried out smoothly. This (transferring subjects out) is purely an investigation strategy to exercise best control over the investigation process, professionally. It is a temporary thing.
“There is no such thing as ‘dumping’. Once the investigation is completed, these officers will be dealt with accordingly. Their fate would depend on the outcome of the investigation as well as the next course of action to be taken against them,” he elaborated in a statement today.
As such, Idris who is also Deputy Speaker of State Legislative Assembly (DUN), emphasised that this issue should not be politicised at all, trusting that the Royal Malaysia Police will be as professional as they vowed to be.
However, he warned that the Federal authorities must fully answer to the people of Sarawak and Sabah if they simply “dump” rogue police officers to the States as perceived by netizens in social media.
“But I believe that is not the case,” he added.
Last Sunday (July 31), Selangor deputy police chief S. Sasikala Devi informed that nine officers – with ranks ranging from constables to sub-inspectors – has been posted to Sarawak and Sabah even though the investigation into their alleged involvement in an extortion case involving a businessman, believed to be related to a drug issue, in Gombak, Selangor, were ongoing.
The announcement had triggered outrage among Sarawakians and Sabahans in particular with many calling out the Federal police not to treat Sarawak and Sabah as a “dumping ground” for problematic cops. — DayakDaily
