Golden opportunity for police force
By Terence Fernandez, The Sun
In March last year, the then inspector-general of police was reported as saying that the distribution of pornographic images is an offence. Tan Sri Musa Hassan issued the warning after receiving text messages offering pornography and said it violated Section 292 of the Penal Code.
Over a year later, journalists received text messages and email invitations to a “viewing party” of a sex video featuring someone said to resemble an opposition politician. The viewing party was held in a room of a five-star hotel in the city – images which now have found their way to YouTube.
The fact that offences have been committed may be clear to many and the perceived hesitance in bringing the culprits to book has people wondering.
Musa’s successor Tan Sri Ismail Omar has told us in no uncertain terms not to tell him how to do his job. “Why should I arrest anyone based on what you say? Let us carry out the investigation and then I will decide on the right time and who to arrest,” Ismail told a press conference on April 5.
While we leave the investigations in the good hands of the police, Ismail must remember that justice must not only be done but seen to be done. At a time when the police are under the spotlight in the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), being a crucial component of the National Key Results Areas (NKRA), it has to – now more than ever – shake off the widespread perception that it is not apolitical.
It is imperative that action is taken against those responsible the same way it raids other pornographic material suppliers and distributors. The fact remains that a pornographic video was shown to the public. That the investigation has focused on the actors in the video has led to certain quarters accusing the police of being pawns in a political game.
The police should be focused on eradicating street crime and instilling a sense of security on the streets for the public, as well as to encourage the injection of more foreign investments and tourist dollars. Instead, the force is yet again being stretched as the country is mired in yet another sex scandal.
It is imperative for the authorities – the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers – to quickly dispose of the case and let the law take its course.
The question being asked by the man in the street is: What offence under the Penal Code have the players in the video committed for the police to be doggedly concerned about their identities? Perhaps they could slap them with solicitation for prostitution?
If that were the case, they should station policemen at every seedy hotel in town where such activities are rampant.
One is flabbergasted as to why the clear commission of an offence is being ignored while efforts are being made to investigate the actors. Perhaps as a matter of public interest it is imperative to treat this case differently from a regular sex video clip. After all, morality counts when one wishes to lead, and the police must be supported and even encouraged to go further in its investigation.
But while doing so, it has to show that it is impartial and will act against all parties involved.
The police have to maintain the public trust. Perception of the force has been on the decline for the last decade. Now is a good opportunity for it to mend its image and show that its priority is to uphold the law and serve the public.
While the force also serves the government of the day, it should never be seen or even suspected of serving the interests of individuals.
