who watches the watchers?
The recent flare up over the treatment (or rather mistreatment) of 11 elderly men by the police whilst in detention is just but a series of issues which have significantly risen the already tense and delicate political climate back in Malaysia.
It seeemed that Malaysians are treated to more and more of such ridiculous theatrics, bumbling misjudgements and grave oversight lately.
The situation would not be so worrying, if only it doesn't involve issues pertaining to religous conversions, deteriorating competence in governance and financial accountabilities.
Personally, I am appalled and sick by the treatment given out by the police towards these men. True, their game of mahjong during Chinese New Year might have been a valid cause to round them up but taking the liberty of shaving their heads are truly uncalled for.
It is even more worrying to hear the police chief's justification for such acts: so that the detainees will have a positive look and remember, so that they will not return to the lock-up.
If that is case, then why don't I see every single person who have been released from lock-up have had his head shaved?
Even if the police wish to inculcate a positive image, does the severity of their crime (if it qualifies to be one, that is) really warrants it?
What positive image does the police wish to create upon the detainees and the public if the detainees are forced to spend their Chinese New Year in lock-up without proper access to basic amenities then have their heads shaved without their consent?
Indeed, I believe that the police should worry more about their own positive image rather than trying to impose it on others, given the pervading less than complimentary perception which the public have towards them.
It is certainly troubling to think that when you are under detention by the police, you might come out with your dignity stripped away, your physical characteristics changed and your basic rights trampled.
Correct me if I am wrong but aren't the police supposed to be upholding and preserving the law?
Sure, the police argued that the right to shave hair is a mandatory procedure under Section 9A of the Lock-Up Rules 1953 but that does not give them an absolute green light to simply do so, right?
I am sure that when the lawmakers proposed that procedure, they have expected the police to exercise some good and reasonable judgements and discretions of their own.
Blindly following the law to the last letter without comprehending the context and circumstances of the situation is no better than having no law in the first place.
When one is required to follow the procedures outlined by the law, it does not mean that one 's sense of good judgement and sensitivities could be simply thrown out the window.
One should never put one's conscience and considerations on hold in the name of following procedures; public officials who put their so-called 'duties' ahead of their own conscience is putting their country on a short route to disaster.
Doing so will lead to the transgression of rights, widespread anarchy and a crisis of confidence.
Even if the police force does not think as far as being accountable to their own conscience, they should have realized that their actions, given the recently abated 'squatgate' case, does nothing to improve the public perception towards them.
Furthermore, given the importance of the police force as the backbone to the security and harmony of the country, their image in the eyes of those whom they are sworn to protect matters greatly.
Any lapses of judgements or deviations from their expected behaviour bode ill to the well-being of the country, eventually affecting the forward strides made by the country.
It is a simple issue of trusting others and being trusted oneself; once that trust is betrayed, it will take some time for it to be restored - provided that it could.
Indeed, these actions by the police have been viewed by some as a form of retaliation by the police towards the recommendations made by the Royal Commission coupled with mounting criticisms directed towards the police force lately.
Does the feeling of superiority permeates the whole hierachy of the police force to the extent that they think that they themselves are way above the law? Do they seriously think that they are beyond criticism wherever it is due?
The police force should not feel victimized by the flood of comments and criticisms they have received lately; they should not think that they are being singled out among all the public offices or being intensely prosecuted by the public.
True, it is not uncomfortable for one's actions to be closely scrutinized, one's intentions dissected but the very position of the police force within the Malaysian social strata itself means that such things are inevitable.
Therefore, rather than insulating themselves from criticisms and showing open resistance to change - which is akin to trying to hold back a oncoming storm - they should just take them with stride, openly and honestly.
Only with an unbiased and sustained reflections and efforts for improvements from both inside and outside the police force can they come out of this storm they are in at the moment with as little damage to their standing as possible.
After all, how can we expect the police to protect the public if they could not even bring themselves to face up to and exorcise their own demons in the first place?
It seeemed that Malaysians are treated to more and more of such ridiculous theatrics, bumbling misjudgements and grave oversight lately.
The situation would not be so worrying, if only it doesn't involve issues pertaining to religous conversions, deteriorating competence in governance and financial accountabilities.
Personally, I am appalled and sick by the treatment given out by the police towards these men. True, their game of mahjong during Chinese New Year might have been a valid cause to round them up but taking the liberty of shaving their heads are truly uncalled for.
It is even more worrying to hear the police chief's justification for such acts: so that the detainees will have a positive look and remember, so that they will not return to the lock-up.
If that is case, then why don't I see every single person who have been released from lock-up have had his head shaved?
Even if the police wish to inculcate a positive image, does the severity of their crime (if it qualifies to be one, that is) really warrants it?
What positive image does the police wish to create upon the detainees and the public if the detainees are forced to spend their Chinese New Year in lock-up without proper access to basic amenities then have their heads shaved without their consent?
Indeed, I believe that the police should worry more about their own positive image rather than trying to impose it on others, given the pervading less than complimentary perception which the public have towards them.
It is certainly troubling to think that when you are under detention by the police, you might come out with your dignity stripped away, your physical characteristics changed and your basic rights trampled.
Correct me if I am wrong but aren't the police supposed to be upholding and preserving the law?
Sure, the police argued that the right to shave hair is a mandatory procedure under Section 9A of the Lock-Up Rules 1953 but that does not give them an absolute green light to simply do so, right?
I am sure that when the lawmakers proposed that procedure, they have expected the police to exercise some good and reasonable judgements and discretions of their own.
Blindly following the law to the last letter without comprehending the context and circumstances of the situation is no better than having no law in the first place.
When one is required to follow the procedures outlined by the law, it does not mean that one 's sense of good judgement and sensitivities could be simply thrown out the window.
One should never put one's conscience and considerations on hold in the name of following procedures; public officials who put their so-called 'duties' ahead of their own conscience is putting their country on a short route to disaster.
Doing so will lead to the transgression of rights, widespread anarchy and a crisis of confidence.
Even if the police force does not think as far as being accountable to their own conscience, they should have realized that their actions, given the recently abated 'squatgate' case, does nothing to improve the public perception towards them.
Furthermore, given the importance of the police force as the backbone to the security and harmony of the country, their image in the eyes of those whom they are sworn to protect matters greatly.
Any lapses of judgements or deviations from their expected behaviour bode ill to the well-being of the country, eventually affecting the forward strides made by the country.
It is a simple issue of trusting others and being trusted oneself; once that trust is betrayed, it will take some time for it to be restored - provided that it could.
Indeed, these actions by the police have been viewed by some as a form of retaliation by the police towards the recommendations made by the Royal Commission coupled with mounting criticisms directed towards the police force lately.
Does the feeling of superiority permeates the whole hierachy of the police force to the extent that they think that they themselves are way above the law? Do they seriously think that they are beyond criticism wherever it is due?
The police force should not feel victimized by the flood of comments and criticisms they have received lately; they should not think that they are being singled out among all the public offices or being intensely prosecuted by the public.
True, it is not uncomfortable for one's actions to be closely scrutinized, one's intentions dissected but the very position of the police force within the Malaysian social strata itself means that such things are inevitable.
Therefore, rather than insulating themselves from criticisms and showing open resistance to change - which is akin to trying to hold back a oncoming storm - they should just take them with stride, openly and honestly.
Only with an unbiased and sustained reflections and efforts for improvements from both inside and outside the police force can they come out of this storm they are in at the moment with as little damage to their standing as possible.
After all, how can we expect the police to protect the public if they could not even bring themselves to face up to and exorcise their own demons in the first place?
posted by wanaimran at
9:59 AM
4 Comments:
could'nt agree with u more. this is what happen when an organisation is run by a bunch of "fools"....
I find it ironic that the Malaysian Police Force's first instincts are to protect itself and its reputation before that of Malaysian citizens.
I do however welcome with open arms the major reshuffling that's going on at the top ranks of PDM - just announced today.
Its so frustrating to read Malaysian news these days... just wait... someday when I'm an MP... someday...
It's funny how I came across this site. I was brooding about the way certain Malaysian government officials make a laughing stock of themselves and asserting their right to be a laughing stock and getting away with it. On a whim, I googled "corrupt politicians in Malaysia", came across cicak.net, and onto your blog. I can hardly believe that you are a bumiputera, and writing with such depth and prose at the age of 20. Sorry, but old stereotypical generalizations die hard. I'm a 21 year old Malaysian doing Comm/Law at Melbourne University, and it cheers me to see a new enlightened generation of Malaysians with a positive attitude towards change.
Do you intend to return to Malaysia? This country could definitely use your wisdom. If you venture into politics, can I vote you as PM?
Keep it up.
xoxo kat.
Katherine,
Perhaps we should mingle around with each other more, as the enlightened ones among us usually do not appear to be much different than the rest of us. It is when we get to know each other..
Another bumiputera.
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