PAPAR: There is no truth to the claims that police are more focused on politicians than criminals.
And State Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said their task covers all, from the safety and security of the people to politics.
“I absolutely deny this. The police take care of the safety of the country, not just politics. If we only concentrate on politics, then who is going to protect the security and public order? We have our Key Performance Index (KPI) and National key Result Area (NKRA) - so we have a job to do and that is to ensure everything is safe and secured for better stability in the nation,” he said, adding that they have successfully achieved their KPI and NKRA.
Rubbishing the claims of DAP’s Rasah candidate, Anthony Loke, Hamza said instead of criticising the police, the people should work with them on improvements, because they are impartial.
Loke had recently stated that the killing of the Customs Department deputy director-general in Putrajaya last week, as well as the Lahad Datu incursion, showed a need for an overhaul of the police force.
“What do they want to reshuffle? To ask police to only use batons and not firearms? We are governed by the Police Act, so if they want to change things, then amend the Act,” Hamza told reporters after the presentation of the Pingat Kedaulatan Negara by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong to 36 recipients comprising security personnel and civil servants from the district, who had served in Ops Daulat to contain the Lahad Datu incursion, at the community hall here.
He said during the elections, the police must ensure that the democracy process is carried out peacefully, smoothly and orderly.
“Every person must play their role to ensure that everything is carried out well. If we fail to protect the public order, then things will be hectic, the election will not run smoothly — for now, we can assure that the situation is under control and people may cast their votes on May 5,” he said.
He added as far as politics is concerned, they had briefed political parties before the nomination day and also spoke to the candidates after the lists were announced to ensure they abide by the regulations stipulated under the Election Act 1958.
Touching on the killing of the Customs deputy director-general in Putrajaya last week, Hamzah said it was classified as a crime and the police were establishing evidence after investigating the case.
“The same goes with the Lahad Datu case, there is no place in the world where there is no intrusion, and that is why we are kept on our toes to protect the security and safety of the people, look at United States of America as an example.
“We have done our level best and I believe, many believe that Ops Daulat is a success. We have shot 70 intruders and arrested over 100 people, some have already been charged and some are still under investigation.
“So it is wrong to bulk all crimes with politics. We are only doing our job and we are neutral, all we want to do is to protect the sovereignty of the country and ensure the country, and Sabah in particular, is safe and secured,” he said.