When a policeman is only paid a RM600 basic salary and he works in a police station equipped with only one patrol car, a telephone and three walkie-talkies, how can we expect him to do his job well?

This was one question raised by Chew Mei Fun (BN-Petaling Jaya Utara) in her debate on the budget in Parliament today.

Expressing concern over the scant resources and facilities for law enforcement officers, she urged the government to take serious and urgent steps to improve the situation, especially in light of the increasing number of robberies and violent crimes.

"However, the solution is not merely to add quantitatively to what was present, but by transforming qualitatively and improving the material and human resources at hand," she said.

"Structural adjustments and coordination should be improved among government agencies, police and the civilian population.

"Higher government officials must build a closer rapport with all ranks of the police to ensure that the needs, concerns, and problems faced by all strata of the police force are understood and addressed," Chew said.

Senior cops' absent

She claimed that at meetings that involved such problems and their solutions, senior police officers and government officials were often absent.

"If this situation continues, how would Finance Ministry officials understand the police force's financial needs and rectify the problems raised?" she asked.

Chew also called for legislative changes in order to ensure that the police were represented at all levels of district, urban, and city councils.

"They should also be involved in local council meetings and resident associations from time to time, as well as make decisions and take steps in order to address issues of security and law enforcement in a direct and effective way," she said.

Illustrating the poor conditions and scant facilities at the disposal of police stations, Chew said that at many of the stations in Petaling Jaya Utara, there is only one telephone line that serves as the means of communication between the police and the public.

"Should the phone be used, there is no other way to get through to the front desk in case of an emergency," she said.

Attract Chinese

The MP also claimed that several police stations use a disproportionate number of police officers to carry out clerical tasks and documentation, thereby distracting many from the job of enforcing safety and security.

Chew also raised the issue of structural changes in order to make the law enforcement career more attractive to the Chinese, who she said are reluctant to join the force because of perceived limitations to 'rise up in rank.'

On the related issue of security companies that allegedly provided poor and unprofessional security services on account of the loopholes in the constitution regarding 'private agencies', Chew proposed amendments to the Private Agencies Act 1971.

"The act places great emphasis on preventing abuse of powers within the agency, but does not emphasise the quality and qualifications of security officers," she said.

Among Chew's recommendations to the amendment are clauses that require security personnel to undergo a minimum of three months' professional training, attain professional certification, and to continuously undergo further training to face current and new forms of crimes.