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©The
Star (Used by permission)
by Lourdes Charles
Sub-standard equipment that was a waste of taxpayers’
money
KUALA LUMPUR: The RM100mil police logistics scandal not only saw the delivery of
sub-standard equipment, but would also have put the lives of police personnel at
risk and wasted taxpayers' money.
Sources told The Star that it was “a case of greed, corruption and malpractice”
involving senior government servants and police officers.
The Anti-Corruption Agency is collecting vital documents pertaining to the
matter and is expected to interview a senior civil servant.
Among the shocking finds were:
> Machetes (parang) ordered for General Operations Force personnel were smaller
than specified, and would rust and break easily;
> Bullet-proof vests not according to specifications and anti-riot helmets not
subjected to safety tests;
> Boots supplied to traffic policemen were not waterproof, drill boot heels fell
off easily, and boots used by Federal Reserve Unit personnel and UN duty
officers were not nail proof;
> Single iron beds, mattresses and pillows used by recruits were not up to
specifications, with the pillows being fire hazards.
A senior police officer said bulletproof vests and other equipment like
anti-riot gear, including helmets, purchased through direct negotiations had
been put on hold, as they had not been fully tested for safety features.
Cops want drastic action
by Lourdes Charles
KUALA LUMPUR: The federal police logistics department has recommended to the
Home Ministry that the contracts of several regular firms who supplied them with
sub-standard equipment be terminated or suspended immediately.
Its director Commissioner Datuk Mashuri Zainal said his department had to take
such drastic action as the lives and health of police officers and men were at
stake.
He said bullet-proof vests and other equipment like anti-riot gear, including
helmets, purchased through direct negotiations had been put on hold, as they had
not been fully tested by the department for their safety features.
“The special committee set up by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan
to conduct pre-delivery inspection of equipment purchased has unearthed many
scary details.
“Initial investigations by the committee also revealed the involvement of not
only police officers and men, but also civil staff and unscrupulous suppliers
appointed by the Home Ministry,” he told The Star.
At least 12 people, including police and civil staff, have been transferred and
placed under investigation for alleged involvement in the matter.
Comm Mashuri said other shocking findings made by the special committee included
the discovery of pigskin characteristics on the collar of SWAT boots. The
Chemistry Department conducted a test on the boots and came to this conclusion.
The boots deal was projected to cost a whopping RM54mil.
Comm Mashuri said even drill boots used by recruits were not according to
specifications and failed the test conducted by the Science and Technology
Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE).
“The heels fall off easily and the material used is not waterproof, while the
boots worn by traffic policemen are also not waterproof as required.
“What shocked us even more was that the boots worn by our Federal Reserve Unit
personnel and those on United Nations duty in Timor Leste are not even
nail-proof,” he added.
Comm Mashuri said the vision flicker lights, used during roadblocks, posed a
threat to both the officers manning the roadblocks as well as to the motorists
as they were not bright enough.
Even roadblock signage as well as the luminous cones had to be returned, as they
were too flimsy and damaged easily.
The special committee, Comm Mashuri said, also inspected the single iron bed,
mattress and pillow used by police recruits following frequent complaints.
“We found the iron rods used for the beds to be thinner than specified, while
the pillows did not meet Malaysian standards, and were fire hazards.
“Our officers are uncovering more and more shoddy dealings as they probe further
into the matter,” he said, adding that even the machetes (parangs) were smaller
than specified, rusted easily and broke when used to chop branches.
Comm Mashuri said he and his officers would continue to conduct stringent checks
as required under circular SPP 5/2007 issued by the Treasury involving the
management of moveable assets.
The circular requires the receiving officer to ensure goods received met the
required specifications, including testing them and ensuring the measurements,
including weight, quality and quantity, were according to the order.
The goods must also be safe to use and in good working condition.
ACA starts looking for evidence
PUTRAJAYA: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) is collecting vital documents on the
supply of RM100mil worth of equipment to the police logistics department before
it starts a full investigation.
Its deputy director-general Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed said agency officers had
been sent to collect the documents and evidence and question people.
He said they would first have to study if there was any criminal element, such
as false claims, use of wrong procedure or not following orders.
“We will start investigations once we find there is a strong case after the
initial study,” he said.
Abu Kassim added that the police had been cooperative since the matter came to
light and that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan had called on the
agency from time to time to investigate suspected corruption cases in the
department.
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Circular No 297/2008
