IPOH: Public servants should set aside their personal feelings when they perform their duties, says Perak police chief Datuk Comm Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri.
He advised police officers not to act based on their emotions when facing situations such as riots.
They must maintain their professionalism at all times, including during the 15th General Election (GE15), he added.
Comm Mohd Yusri said most people owned smartphones and could take videos and pictures to be used against the police.
“All policemen must be professional, prudent and always act according to the law,” he said in his speech during an exercise by the Ipoh police’s Light Strike Force to handle a riot in preparations for any eventualities during GE15 near the Indera Mulia Stadium here yesterday.
“Preparations for the election by the police are going according to schedule.
“We are just waiting for the campaign to start,” he said, adding that the exercise involved 1,567 policemen.
In George Town, the Penang state police reminded election candidates, their representatives, party supporters and voters to obey the law during GE15.
State police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said this time around, there were multiple parties taking part in the elections.
He cautioned candidates, their representatives, party supporters and voters to display maturity and campaign responsibly to ensure that everything went smoothly.
“Despite the political instability we have experienced in the past four years as well as facing the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been disciplined.
“We want to maintain this for the coming few weeks. Why ruin it in the 14 days of campaigning?” he said during a press conference yesterday.
Based on GE14, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said police would pay extra attention to three potential “hotspots” in Penang – Balik Pulau, Permatang Pauh and Batu Kawan.
“These places will be monitored with hopes that there will be no recurrence of what happened previously, where there were incidents such as vehicles from the police and those from the Election Commission being held up,” he said.
“We will be looking into those who create any upheaval. There is unlimited communication online and it will be one of the main platforms for all parties to campaign.
“We will monitor the developments throughout the election period. If there is any irresponsible behaviour by any party which may lead to serious outcomes, action will be taken,” said Comm Mohd Shuhaily.
More than 4,500 police personnel will be on duty for GE15, which represents 73.51% of the police force in the state.