KUALA LUMPUR — In his retirement speech, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIGP) Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay today gave a firm reminder to the rest of the police force about the importance of maintaining integrity and not giving in to corruption.
Ayob Khan, who hits the mandatory retirement age of 60 tomorrow, said he is known to be someone who does not compromise, before going on to stress having a good character.
“’If you lose your money, you lose nothing. If you lose your health, you lose something. If you lose your character, you lose everything’,” he said when quoting from a movie.
Throughout his nearly 35 years in the police force, Ayob Khan said some of his past decisions had caused him to be misunderstood, but said he had learnt as a police officer to not only do the easy things.
“We have to do what is right, even though it is difficult, even though it is not popular,” the Kedahan said in his speech at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) here.
He said he had always reminded himself that courage does not mean not feeling fear: “Courage is when we still uphold what is right, although we know there is a price to pay.”
He said the law cannot choose who should be taken action against, adding that justice cannot give in to titles, positions, race, religion or anyone’s influence.
Ayob Khan said the police force has taught him the meaning of courage, loyalty and sacrifice, and urged his fellow police officers to uphold the police force’s integrity and reputation.
“Don’t sell dignity because of money, don’t use power to oppress those who are weak. Don’t ever forget that behind each power that we hold, there is the public that hopes for justice,” he said.
He also said integrity is not about what one does when praised, but about what one does when no one is watching, adding that God is always watching.
As he ended his speech, Ayob Khan also gave a strong message against corruption, saying that bribery is “haram” or forbidden.
Ayob Khan also urged for a structural change to the police force, proposing that they be given these ranks or paygrades in the civil service, namely Inspector-General of Police (Turus II), deputy IGP (Turus III), Jusa A for directors, and Jusa B for state police chiefs.
