KUALA LUMPUR: The overwhelming public response to Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain’s (pic) candid advice to his officers was not something he expected.
The Federal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director said the reaction to the viral video indicated the public was aware of what’s going on in the police force, which was an open secret.
“I firmly believe if we are plagued by disease, we must first admit it.
“If we don’t, then the doctor cannot administer the right cure or medicine,” he told a press conference yesterday.
During a meeting in Penang last Friday, he issued a blunt warning to corrupt officers working in cahoots with criminal rackets to either “Change or be changed.”
“You’re willing to sacrifice the lives of your comrades because of the money you get from syndicates.
“In other words, there are some here who are willing to kill each other for money,” he said during the closed-door conference.
The video footage of his speech was posted online and has since gone viral.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said he was just reiterating what the Inspector-General of Police and his deputy had been saying in wanting clean up the police force.
“They have been saying it, I merely amplified it,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said as an initial move, all CID officers holding sensitive positions, including district CID chiefs and D7, have to declare their assets and must be transparent and comprehensive.
“If someone is able and can afford a certain lifestyle, they must show that they have a legitimate source of income. We will conduct continuous auditing to ensure high integrity among CID officers,” he said.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily also invited officers or personnel who wanted to take up sensitive positions in the department to apply.
“They must send their application letter along with forms declaring their assets,” he said.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said his address was a chance for his officers to change, adding that the videos were posted on social media to reach a wider audience.
“During the address, I could only address 140 officers present at the venue, whereas I have 10,000 officers and personnel in the department,” he said.
On another matter, what began as a so-called kidnapping of an 18-year-old teenager turned out to be an elaborate operation by scammers.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the police received a police report on Oct 3 from a woman who claimed that her son was kidnapped and a RM300,000 ransom demand was involved.
“We investigated the matter and managed to “rescue” the victim at a homestay in Shah Alam on Oct 5. However, it was not actually a kidnapping,” he said.
The victim, he said, had initially received a call from scammers posing as police officers last month who claimed a parcel the victim ordered contained drugs and he was asked to assist with the investigation.
“They eventually instructed the victim to transfer funds to them,” he said.
The victim ended up transferring a total of RM283,000 in several transactions from Sept 30 until Oct 3, he said.
