Too early to set up RCI on police cartel, says deputy home minister

It is still too early to set up a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate allegations of a cartel within the police force, says Deputy Home Minister I Ismail Mohamed Said.

He said everything was still under control, and that the home ministry had not yet received a list of those allegedly involved in the activity.

“We don’t even know the number (of individuals involved) yet… it’s still too early for an RCI. If there are allegations and there is basis, it can be brought to the Police Force Commission first, and if it involves junior police officers it can be brought to the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department,” he said after an event yesterday.

He was asked about calls from several parties, including NGOs, for an RCI to be set up to investigate the statement by Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador who said there was a cartel within the police force.

On Tuesday, Hamid was reported to have said that several individuals involved in a cartel trying to topple him had been identified.

Without revealing their names, Hamid said the issue was still under control and under his supervision, while expressing confidence that those involved could not “move” at the moment.