Low or high salary, police must reject corruption: Penang MTUC

The Penang Malaysian Trade Union Congress has criticised the salary levels of the members of the police force, and other civil servants as well.

Penang MTUC Penang secretary K. Veeriah said the salaries of the lower ranks, not only the police force but the entire civil service, and private sector, is "pathetic!"

"Though that being the case, there is, in my considered opinion, no justification for our men in blue to compromise their pledge to the crown and the nation to uphold the laws of the country," Veeriah said in a statement.

"They are the entrusted enforcers of law and order.

"They ought to wear their uniforms with pride and dignity and perform their duties regardless of their salary," he said.

"They must, at all times, uphold the integrity of the police force.

"In any case it was they who chose to be members of the police force having full knowledge of their income," Veeriah added.

Veeriah cited the opinion of Inspector General Of Police, Abdul Hamid Bador (above) that raising the salaries of the lower ranks of the police force would minimise acts of corruption amongst them.

In an interview with Bernama, Abdul Hamid said that lower ranked police personnel’s salaries, logistics and requirements will be given priority in efforts to enhance the integrity of the police force.

He was quoted as saying, "the salaries earned by police personnel with the rank of sergeant and below were low and not enough to cover the cost of living, especially for those stationed in the cities."

“I ask the government to reconsider, as it is already enjoyed by policemen in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and in other developed countries.

“Only by raising the salaries that the risk of corruption can be reduced and other temptations to commit crimes (to earn money) can also be minimised,” he added in the news report yesterday.

Veeriah said the IGP, selectively, has raised the salary of the lower ranks of the force as the likely cause of corruption.

"What I wish to postulate is this - why then are the higher ranks in the police force also involved in corruption?" Veeriah asked.

"Given the IGP's view of low salaries in the lower ranks of the force as a reason for acts of corruption, is he also making a statement that even the higher ranking officers are corrupt because of low salary?"

Veeriah said whether the salaries are low or not, what is of importance is the culture of executing one's job within the "parameters of honesty and fear of God almighty."

"To those who elect to do otherwise, I say face your maker when it is due!"