Iltizam politik, keberanian kunci banteras rasuah, kata Ayob Khan

Former Deputy Inspector General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay suggested that raising police salaries could make a career in the force more attractive. He emphasized that political will and courage to act are key to combating corruption. Ayob Khan, who retired after nearly 35 years of service, stressed that leadership must set an example for lower-ranked officers.

He said that if those in power are unwilling to take action against corrupt officials, it will be problematic for those in lower positions. Ayob Khan recounted his own actions against a senior officer involved in corruption, stating that if one is willing to take action, it can be done. He believed that true change ultimately depends on political will, as those in power must also strive for reform within the institution.

He cited the example of Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih's conquest of Constantinople, urging that nothing should be considered impossible before attempting it. The former deputy inspector general noted a decline in the percentage of non-Malay officers in the police force compared to the early years after Malaysia's independence. According to government data, only 5.55% of the 136,503 police officers are non-Malay.

Ayob Khan attributed this to lower salaries being a deterrent for non-Malay recruits, especially as Malaysians now have more job options. He criticized the RM300 monthly allowance for police officers, calling it insufficient to cover living costs in major cities. Ayob Khan urged the government to reevaluate the salaries of lower-ranked officers, particularly constables who earn between RM2,000 and RM2,500 per month, alongside introducing special allowances for those working in urban areas.

He argued that better pay and allowances could help attract and retain quality officers. Additionally, Ayob Khan called for a review of the public service grade structure for senior police officers, as the current ranking does not adequately reflect the hierarchical structure of the force. He pointed out that the deputy inspector general currently holds the same public service grade as the Chief of Branch Special Projects and the Chief of Department of Civil Defense and Public Safety, despite having different responsibilities.

Ayob Khan suggested raising the deputy inspector general's grade to Turus III to better reflect the power and accountability of the position.