Hero cops: Razarudin (right) having a light moment with award recipients (from left) Mohd Shariffuddin, S. Robert Santhanam, Wan Mohd Abbasi and Osmizan Osman at the ceremony. — ART CHEN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Insp Mohd Tarmizi Said chose not to sacrifice his self-worth and integrity when he was offered a huge bribe while arresting a diesel smuggling syndicate member.
The 40-year-old rejected the RM50,000 bribe and stayed loyal to the police force in line with the spirit of “Sang Saka Biru”.
“As a police officer, we will encounter temptations, including bribes, but in the end, our convictions must be strong.
“Rejecting the bribe is not something to be overly praised about as it is part of my responsibility as a police officer,” he said.
Insp Mohd Tarmizi, who is from the Selangor Internal Security and Public Order Department, said this when met at a ceremony here yesterday for police officers and personnel who went above and beyond for the public.
He said rejecting the bribe had preserved the good name and image of the police force.
He was among 200 officers and personnel who received commendation letters from Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
Another recipient L/Kpl Christopher Lawai Johnny, 30, said he suffered a broken arm while conducting patrols during the Mahkota by-election in Johor last year.
“I am attached to the Seri Alam district police headquarters in Johor but I was sent to Kluang to assist police operations during the polls.
“I was conducting patrols with the motorcycle patrol unit when I was hit by a car.
“My right arm was broken and I also suffered nerve damage,” L/Kpl Christopher Lawai said.
He said he was grateful to be among those who received the commendation letters.
“I will continue to give my best to the police force when I recover fully,” he added.
Meanwhile, Razarudin said such honourable spirit among police personnel had existed in the force for a long time.
He said there are police officers and personnel who went above expectations, honourable in their work and serving the public diligently.
“In fact, there are those who even risked their lives for the benefit of the people.
“I believe such acts should be honoured and celebrated. It is only right that this is highlighted,” the IGP said.
On another matter, Razarudin said police may request extending the remand for a 61-year-old senior executive of a television station in Sarawak and three others in connection with a money laundering investigation.
He said police will ascertain whether the existing investigation was sufficient and complete.
It was previously reported that the remand for four individuals, including the senior executive of a television station in Sarawak has been extended for three more days in connection with a money laundering case until Jan 15.
Razarudin had said the suspects, the senior executive and his family members aged between 20 and 61, are being investigated by the IGP secretariat’s Anti-Money Laundering (Amla) division.
“We are investigating further to track suspicious money flow transactions,” he said.
The senior executive was among five individuals detained in connection with a money laundering and criminal breach of trust investigation.
They were detained in a special operation codenamed Ops Ragada last Friday.
