GOODBYE PDRM

Hari ini 1 February 2011, saya meninggalkan dunia kepolisan. Semalam, genap 33 tahun 6 bulan dan 28 hari, perkhidmatan saya dalam PDRM. Semestinya ada kenangan manis dan pahit, ada good times dan bad times tetapi satu perkara yang saya yakini ialah saya telah memberikan yang terbaik mungkin kepada rakyat yang memerlukan perkhidmatan kepolisan dan yang paling teruk boleh saya lakukan, kepada pelanggar undang-undang. I have done the things that I have done not because of glory, publicity or commendation letters but because it is the right thing to do.

I will not dwell on how’s my life in the Force these last 33 years or so for fear that I will be labelled “Masuk Bakul Angkat Sendiri”. Let those who have served together with me in the Force tell their own stories about probationary inspector Baharuddin Hj Idris and now retired Superintendent of Police, Baharuddin Hj Idris. No Dato’ or Datuk title, only atuk, to a 5 year old girl.

Will I miss the Royal Malaysia Police? Kalau soalan tadi membawa erti yang sama seperti, “Do you miss the wonderful nights you spend with the ex wife you have just divorced?, sudah tentu ada sedikit air mata kerinduan kerana tidak ada satu perkara pun yang semua hitam atau semua putih. Mesti ada sikit-sikit grey areas in between, ma! Tapi kalau soalannya, “Adakah anda merasa kehilangan kuasa polis yang pernah anda rasai?”, jawapannya begini.

Unlike other government enforcement agencies, the Royal Malaysia Police has the power to enforce almost 100% of the laws enacted in this country. It is not for nothing that the malaysian police prides itself on being the leading law enforcement agency. Whether it leads in policing professionalism is a question for debate. Uncle Ben (bapa saudara Spiderman) once told Spidey that “With great power comes greater responsibility”. Uncle B kata “In Malaysia, with great powers, the better opportunity to make money”.

The Royal Malaysia Police authority card especially the blue colored one, carries with it, great and wide powers. You can tahan speeding lorries and buses, larang kapal terbang dari terbang ke udara, boleh tahan dan soal orang yang sedang berjalan, even suruh orang berhenti bercium dalam LRT kerana berkelakuan tidak senonoh di tempat awam (an offence under the Minor Offences Act). Di Malaysia, kuasa polis lagi dashyat. Boleh tangkap, tahan dan rekomen kepada menteri untuk sumbat semua gangster, tauke sindiket judi, sindiket pelacuran dan pengancam ketenteraman awam dalam Pusat Tahanan, tanpa bicara. Polis kata hitam, hitam, putih kata polis, putih kata kerajaan. Although selalu juga berlaku polis kata hitam, kerajaan kata putih dan polis kena ikut.

Kita akan rasa kehilangan jika masa berkuasa dulu, semuanya nak free. Makan free, holiday free, renovate rumah free, hinggakan main golf dan kahwinkan anak pun pakai sponsor. I guess I would have miss such police powers if I had misuse or abuse it for my own personal benefits and gratifications. Imagine you are born with an extra body appendage that you don’t use. Would you miss it if it is excised or removed ?

I am happy leaving the force and certainly did not miss the police powers that I used to have because it has never benefited me. If at all there is any regret, I regretted the fact that the Royal Malaysia Police has never given me a chance to become the commandant of a police training centre or the chief police officer of a police district. Given a chance, I know I can alter public perception of the police force, at least in my district or at the very least produce god fearing police officers. But that is water under the bridge.

If I may be permitted to leave a word of advice to my ex bosses, my ex colleagues and subordinates but still friends, always remember that the police force is an honorable profession. Don’t sully the profession by dishonorable acts. As a muslim I am proud of the fact that the modern police force begins during the Islamic Caliphate. To my muslim brothers and sisters in the Force, do not mar the image of Islam through your despicable actions as a police officer. Ingat! Kuasa polis yang anda miliki, diberi oleh rakyat melalui parlimen untuk menolong rakyat bukan untuk menggemukkan anda.

Hingga jumpa lagi, kepada mereka yang masih berkhidmat dalam PDRM dan merasa diri cukup berkuasa dan Polis Dia Raja Malaysia, ingat pesanan Uncle B. Satu hari nanti, anda akan jadi orang awam. Time tu baru anda tahu langit tu tinggi atau rendah. Macam seorang bekas pegawai tatatertib juga bekas KPD yang InsyaAllah akan berdepan dengan saya, satu sama satu, sebagai orang awam. Tak lupa juga seorang bakal bekas T/Pengarah yang pernah menghina Uncle.

Byeee!!!