WHAT TO DO IF STOPPED BY MALAYSIAN POLICE

Following is a message I received from my friend. He also included an article on "WHAT TO DO IF STOPPED BY MALAYSIAN POLICE"
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From My InBox:

Dear all,

Hope this info is useful, especially for the ladies.

Just also a word of warning: I was once stopped by 2 Arab-looking guys near Sunway Pyramid, Subang. One was tall and thin, about 5' 8", curly black hari and wearing earrings while the other was fat and shorter, about 5' 5", well-kempt hair. They were driving a black wira (I did not see the plate number unfortunately.)

Initially I thought they wanted to know some direction, but actually they said they were plaincloth police and wanted to see my "identity card". I knew something was wrong because (1), We don't have Arab policemen in Malaysia, (2) policement don't have earrings, and (3) policement in malaysia don't say "Identity card" but "IC".

So I asked the fat guy who was acting as the superior to show me his police identity. He half opened his shirt and let me peaked at a yeloow-looking card (which later the police told me that's how their identity looks like), but he refused to let me copy the number.

So I refused to give them my IC and he demanded to see my wallet. I refused. Then he said, ok follow me to the police station. I said, ok, there is a police station at the corner of these shops (there happened to be one I know), so I'll meet you there." Then I started to walked away, then suddenly they started to chase me, so I ran towards a group of people. They stopped and got into their Wira and drove off.

I later reported this incident to the police station nearby, but as usual, the police are useless and do not know what to do. The lady taking my report said that they can't do anything unless I know the car number. I said, how many black wiras are there in this area and how many are driven by 2 Arab-looking fellows?

On the way home, I told my wife to imagine what would happen if I had been a young girl from outstation.

Two days later, I read in the newspaper that a 16-year old school girl (a Malay girl) was raped and killed in the same vicinity. I have a feeling that it is these two guys.

So be careful,ladies!




WHAT TO DO IF STOPPED BY MALAYSIAN POLICE

This is is very useful information. Please pass it on to your friends and family...... .......especiall y the women folk!

The next time you are stopped by persons who claimed they are plainclothes police, you are under no obligation to answer their questions or follow their orders, lawyers told Malaysiakini today.

'Policeman who is not wearing his uniform does not have the authority to stop anyone,' lawyer and human rights activist Sivarasa Rasiah said.

Sivarasa was commenting on the alleged gang-rape of an 18-year-oldUni student by four men claiming to be police officers on New Year'sEve. The girl said that her car was stopped in Taman Tun Dr Ismail inKuala Lumpur and were asked by the men to open the car bonnet. She wasthen told that she had committed an offence and ordered to follow themen to a police station. The girl was driven in her car along theNorth-South expressway to the Tapah-Cameron Highlands road before shewas raped in an oil palm estate.

This incident, and many others, have sparked confusion over theprocedures which motorists must follow when flagged down by the police.The most common problem is that most people take instructions withoutdetermining if the other person is really a cop,' lawyer Annie Santiagosaid.

However, if you are stopped by a uniformed policeman, then you arerequired to stop. But you need not get out of the car because you arenot expected to do so, Santiago said. He other rule to follow is toprovide your identity card only when you are asked to do so. 'Eventhen, you should get his ID first to confirm if he is a cop. There isno harm in calling the relevant police station to verify if he issupposed to be on duty that day,' Sivarasa said.

Both lawyers said that motorists should never follow an officer to the police station unless one is under arrest .'If you are not sure, and your instincts tell you that something iswrong, then drive off to the nearest police station and lodge areport,' Sivarasa said.

In response to the alleged gang-rape of the 18-year-old, Women'sAid Organisation executive-secretary Ivy Josiah called on the police tolaunch an education program to teach the public about their rights toprevent them from being victimised by bogus police officers.

Procedures to follow in the event you are stopped by uniformed police Officers while driving:

1. Stop the car and wind down your window.
2. If the police officers ask for your documents, request to see their
IDs first.
3. If you are satisfied about their identity, ask them if you are being
summoned, and for what offence.
4. Produce your identity card and driver's license and wait to collect
your summon ticket.

In the event that the police officers ask you to follow them to the police station:

1. Ask if you are under arrest and for what offence.
2. If you are not under arrest, you have the right to leave.

In the event you are flagged down by persons you believe could be plain clothes police:

1. Do not stop because plain clothes police officers do not have the
authority to stop you.
2. Drive to the nearest police station and lodge a report. (The same
procedure applies to pedestrians)

In the event the police come to your house:

1. Do not let them in before checking their IDs.
2. If you are not satisfied, phone the nearest police station and
confirm if they had been sent to your house.
3. You are under no obligation to allow them into the house if they
don't have a search warrant.
4. Do not go with them if you are not under arrest.

In the event persons who claimed to be plain clothes police come to your house:

1. Do not let him in because they do not have the authority to do so.
2. Lodge a report at the nearest police station.


PLEASE PASS IT ON..........

PLEASE PASS IT ON..........

PLEASE PASS IT ON.......... ..