Police must be fair in discharging duties - malaysiakini

By Leslie Lau
Consultant Editor

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 – The police must not only be fair but be seen to be fair when discharging their duties as there is a perception they may be racially biased and unprofessional, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said today.

He told The Malaysian Insider today that the onus was also on the police to ensure they have a better relationship with the public to reduce mistrust and mutual suspicions.

The MCA deputy president was commenting today on recent crackdowns against public demonstrations and assemblies, including one last Sunday in which more than 20 people including opposition lawmakers were detained.

“I admit that a demonstration without a permit is not a good thing but the police have to follow guideline and procedures when enforcing the law,” he said.

“There is a perception that the police force now is unprofessional and may be racially biased, so they have a duty to forge closer ties with the public.”

The police and various social activists and opposition politicians are locked in a major dispute over what some quarters claim was a heavy-handed crackdown on what they say was a peaceful assembly.

Dr Chua said that the police have shown previously shown before that they can take the initiative to forge closer ties with the public and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
He cited the example of Johor police, whose representatives engaged in dialogue and appeared at various NGO functions as part of their efforts in trying to lower the crime rate.

Dr Chua said he hoped MCA ministers will bring to Cabinet the opinion of the public regarding the police.

The MCA leader said that the government needed to strengthen the channel of communication with the public.
“Many people may not know what the government is actually doing. They think the authorities have a hidden agenda. This has bred suspicions and mutual distrust,” he said. -- TMI