Sub-standard equipment that was a waste of taxpayers’ money

Thursday July 31, 2008

By LOURDES CHARLES

KUALA LUMPUR: The RM100mil police logistics scandal not only saw the delivery of sub-standard equipment, but would also have put the lives of police personnel at risk and wasted taxpayers' money.

Sources told The Star that it was “a case of greed, corruption and malpractice” involving senior government servants and police officers.

The Anti-Corruption Agency is collecting vital documents pertaining to the matter and is expected to interview a senior civil servant.

Among the shocking finds were:

> Machetes (parang) ordered for General Operations Force personnel were smaller than specified, and would rust and break easily;

> Bullet-proof vests not according to specifications and anti-riot helmets not subjected to safety tests;

> Boots supplied to traffic policemen were not waterproof, drill boot heels fell off easily, and boots used by Federal Reserve Unit personnel and UN duty officers were not nail proof;

> Single iron beds, mattresses and pillows used by recruits were not up to specifications, with the pillows being fire hazards.

A senior police officer said bulletproof vests and other equipment like anti-riot gear, including helmets, purchased through direct negotiations had been put on hold, as they had not been fully tested for safety features.