Siti Kasim Orders From The Top Must Stop Hold Rogue Cops Getting Minions To Do Dirty Work Accountable

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THIS is an oft heard excuse in cases of criminal wrongdoing involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
Often enough, this is also used as a get-out-of-jail card as police officers implicated in cases gone awry will claim they were just following instructions.
Referring to the recent Kuala Lumpur High Court judgements awarding damages to the families of Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat, human rights activist Siti Kasim urged the government to look into claims that the abductions were carried out by members of state agencies with the usual  “orders coming from the top”.
Highlighting that both cases occurred under the watch of former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the human rights activist and lawyer hoped that the Madani administration will strive to bring greater transparency to the justice system by pursuing “rogue officers who get their minions to do their dirty work”.
Editor’s Note: Social activist Amri who is also a Syiah follower disappeared on Nov 24, 2016 while Koh disappeared on Feb 13, 2017.
“It is not that the police are unable to do their job but they were not sincere or thorough in their investigations in the search for Pastor Koh and Amri Che Mat,” she pointed out in her latest YouTube rant from Volendam in the Netherlands where she is attending a three-month special programme for human rights defenders.



















“The families have tried everything to get justice but until now have yet to receive any news or updates from the police. They were forced to bring this suit against the government and the police.
“Congratulations Susanna Liew (Pastor Koh’s wife) and the wife of Amri Che Mat (Noorhayati Ariffin). I hope the current government will not appeal this decision.”
Editor’s Note: The Attorney-General’s Chambers has since announced that it will appeal both decisions.
‘Unfair to punish only order takers’
Unable to hide her anger and contempt, the Orang Asli advocate argued that too often, criminal acts in Malaysia go unpunished as officers were acting on “orders from the top”.
“Who is then to be held accountable,” she demanded to know.
Referencing her own experience when she was accused of obstructing the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) officers from carrying out duties, Siti Kasim further outlined how police officers – acting on “orders from the top” – detained her in the lock up and made her don prison outfits, among other indignities.

Calling the government to take action, the 62-year-old legal eagle further argued that it would be unfair to punish those further down the chain of command for simply following the clear and explicit instructions of their superiors.
However, those who issued the orders “must NOT be allowed to get away with murder (pun fully intended)”.
As such, she insinuated that the damages awarded was the court’s way of telling the police that such practices will no longer be tolerated.
Siti Kasim is not alone as many Malaysians concur with her sentiment as evident from the 36K views and 2K likes and 561 comments to her “arahan dari atas (orders from the top)” video.
One obviously disgusted commenter claimed that PDRM has lost all credibility for “the question remains as to who is ultimately responsible for giving that particular order.”
He also berated the Home Minister and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in the breakdown of the chain of command as well as the lack of accountability and transparency.

Many taxpayers were also unhappy that public funds were once again being used to cover up the failings of PDRM. It was argued that the whole corrupt chain of command needed to be exposed and brought to justice.

The scenario was succinctly captured by one commenter who used a Malay proverb to illustrate the situation – “harapkan pegar, pegar makan padi (literally, “rely on the pheasant, the pheasant eats the rice”).

Suffice to say, the public is fed up with unnamed, rogue officers giving orders without ever having to face any consequences for their actions.
Doubtlessly, the KL High Court decisions are a clear beacon call for change. –  Focus Malaysia

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