A Singaporean woman, Irene Teo, has taken to Facebook to accuse officers of the Johor Bahru police force in Malaysia of extorting RM500 (S$142) from her during a traffic stop.
Teo alleges that the officers intentionally directed her car to the wrong lane, leading to the Woodlands checkpoint on March 10, 2024. She further claims that she was forced to pay the sum in order to be guided back to the correct lane that would take her home.
A passenger from another car involved in the incident has provided a similar account and has shared dashboard camera footage of the event on social media. However, the police have stated that there are no recordings of the alleged extortion attempt itself.
Johor Police Chief Commissioner M Kumar has informed the New Straits Times that attempts have been made to contact Teo, but she has yet to respond. The police have also recorded statements from the officers who were on duty during the alleged incident. Kumar noted that the police are aware of the footage that has been uploaded and shared on social media.
Kumar assured the public that if the allegations are true, the police will conduct a thorough investigation without compromise. He emphasized that the police do not tolerate any form of misuse of power or acts of alleged bribery.
The Malaysian police are committed to upholding the law and maintaining the trust and confidence of the public. The investigation of this incident will be a testament to their commitment to transparency and accountability. The public is encouraged to report any instances of misconduct or corruption, as the police cannot effectively combat these issues without the support and cooperation of the community.
In the meantime, Teo’s allegations have sparked a conversation about the abuse of power and the importance of transparency in law enforcement. The public has a right to expect that the police will act with integrity and professionalism, and any instances of misconduct or corruption must be addressed promptly and thoroughly.
As the investigation into Teo’s allegations continues, the public will be watching closely to see how the police respond. The outcome of this investigation will have significant implications for the reputation of the police force and the public’s trust in law enforcement. It is essential that the police take these allegations seriously and take appropriate action to address any issues of misconduct or corruption.