Probe senior cops in Sabah, urges Dompok
Claims of alleged power abuse in land-grab in Kunak
KUALA LUMPUR:
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernand Dompok has instructed the Public Complaints Bureau to conduct an immediate probe on allegations of power abuse by senior police officers in a land-grabbing issue at Kampung Tingkayu in Kunak, Sabah. Dompok said the affected smallholders who had worked on the land for the past 23 years met him in Parliament on Tuesday and briefed him on the issue. “This is a very serious matter as it involves senior police officers. I’ve instructed the Bureau’s Director- General Dr Chua Hong Teck to look into the complaint. “We guarantee a fair probe. The Bureau will treat the complainant fairly as promised in the Bureau’s clients’ charter,” he told Bernama yesterday. Dompok said the Bureau would convene a special meeting this week to discuss the matter. “If it is proven that the said police officers misused their power, stern action would be taken against them, as nobody is above the law. “The Bureau will be cooperating with other relevant agencies once the investigation started and all parties should give their fullest cooperation,” he said, adding that “we don’t want to see public trust towards the authorities fade.” In April, Bernama reported that a top- ranking senior law enforcement officer, holding the title of “Datuk” and police officers in Kunak, are being investigated by the Sabah Anti- Corruption Agency for allegedly offering “protection services” to a real estate company which allegedly seized 787 hectares (about 4,000 acres) of oil palm plantations belonging to smallholders. In exchange for their “services”, the company, which is also involved in money lending, had reportedly given the officers kickbacks and other benefits, including offering its company’s shares. Bernama also reported that the company concerned had employed more than 100 illegal immigrants who doubled as thugs to seize the land worth about RM40 million and more then 40 police reports were lodged between January and March this year at the Kunak police station, but was not entertained. It is learnt that the State Government would also be briefed on the issue as the smallholders have alleged that a few officers of the Land and Survey Department might be involved in the scandal. Meanwhile, one of the smallholders who wished to be known as Anthony, 50, told Bernama that an official complaint letter was handed to the Home Ministry on Thursday. “In the letter we have asked the Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to take appropriate action against the police officers who failed to discharge their duty and abused their power. “We have all the evidence to prove that the complaints made were true and we hope our nightmare will end soon,” he added. - Bernama
