Media Statement Dr. Tan Seng Giaw in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, 25^th March 2008: 

Train 1,200 police recruits a year 

I call on the Government to set up more training centres with good instructors, so that the police can train up to 1,200 recruits a year.
There must be greater efforts to recruit more non-Malays into the force and to have special courses to instill the sense of values consistent with the new badge 'Integrity Is Our Practice' (Integriti Amalan Kita).

I congratulate the Royal Malaysia Police Force on the occasion of the 201 Police Day on 25 March, 2008. The motto has been changed from Mesra, Cepat, Betul to Tegas, Adil, Berhemah, whereas the badge becoming Integriti Amalan Kita instead of Anti-Rasuah. We hope the change of the motto and the badge ushers in a new era. In 2005, the Royal Commission recommended Mesra, Cekap, Beramanah.

In the two centuries, there have been many dedicated police personnel who sacrificed for the country. We pay our tribute to them. We hope there are more committed people of all races joining the force.

Now, the number of police is about 80,000 in a population of nearly 27 million. We need a bigger force. Last year, the Cabinet approved the increase of 60,000 in the next five years. Every year, over 2,000 police personnel retire.

Hitherto, the training facilities can only cope with about 4,000 recruits a year, whereas the police must train 12,000 annually. Besides, paying attention to implementing the 125 proposals of the Royal Commission to enhance the running and management of the Royal Malaysia Police, including the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), the Government must create more training centres with good instructors to cope with the requirement.

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* Dr. Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong