Say what you want, I’ll continue giving ‘duit raya’, says Umno Youth chief

PETALING JAYA: The attacks for giving out “duit Raya” to police personnel in Merlimau are unwarranted, says Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

He said this is because it was given publicly with the full knowledge and attendance of the Jasin OCPD Dep Supt Ahmad Jamil Radzi and other department heads who were present at the event.

“This does not frazzle me in any way. The only reason these attacks are against me is because it is me who gave the money.

“If it was someone else, the attacks would not have happened,” said Dr Akmal, who is also the Jasin Umno chairman and Merlimau state assemblyman.

He was replying to former senior police officer and lawyer SN Nair, who said that Dr Akmal had put the policemen in a difficult position by handing out duit raya to them in Jasin, Melaka, recently.

Dr Muhammad Akmal further stated that as a lawmaker, he was well aware of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) requirements that any amount under RM100 should be given to civil personnel with the permission of their department heads.

“At the event, the OCPD was there. I had also handed out RM20 to another 100 staff of the Jasin Municipal Council.

“Why are they (those attacking me) feeling so hot under their collar?

“This is the month of Ramadan, the month of charity. It would be different if I had given it during a month of elections or I had given it under the table with the intention of getting something in return.

“Those attacking me should know that I will not stop giving out alms to appreciate those who keep my constituency – be they cleaners, police or the lower income groups.

“This small token is to appreciate the great work they are doing in keeping the constituency safe and clean.

“I do not care at all for such attacks from those who are out to get me. Next week, I intend to give ‘duit raya’” to other staff of the district council.

“Let them say what they want. I have done nothing wrong. My ‘duit raya’ was to appreciate the policemen and policewomen who keep Jasin safe,” said Dr Muhammad Akmal.

The Umno Youth Chief had been much in the news lately for leading the boycott campaign against the KK Supermart over the “Allah” socks issue.

Criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy (pic) of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) Centre for Policy Research said that although the act of handing out duit raya or angpow during festive seasons is a cultural tradition here, it can undermine efforts of the police force to improve its image and combat corruption when its personnel are allowed to accept the packets of cash.

He said the strong stance on this matter by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain who had just last month reminded his personnel that it was an offence to accept angpow, shows the commitment of the police force to address such cases firmly.

“Police personnel are to be impartial and unbiased when executing their duties. If they are allowed to accept duit raya, would they not tend to be in favour of the giver? Public trust and confidence in the police are crucial for maintaining law and order. Any actions that compromise this trust, such as accepting money gifts, should be dealt with severely to protect the integrity of the force. Hence, let’s keep such cultural norms away from public servants, especially those in law enforcement. It can be disastrous to merge both and the consequences can be irreparable.” he told The Star.

Prominent lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said such an act was inappropriate and there is a “huge difference” when angpow is given to common individuals and public servants.

He said any party who wished to give duit raya should do so for deserving and eligible individuals from impoverished communities or underprivileged school students.

“It would have been acceptable if an off-duty policeman was at a public event with his family and angpow was given out to all of those attending the function. However, no public servant on duty or in uniform should be handed or receive cash gifts. Police personnel should reject it when it is given to them. Do not use the excuse of festive seasons to do this because it appears wrong in the eyes of the public. Why start this bad habit.” he told The Star.