Traffic stops, routine inspections, and any interaction with police officers are bound to get us wound up and nervous to a certain extent. But it’s crucial for every Malaysian to know that when you are dealing with an officer – that the person is actually in an authoritative figure to act in such a capacity.
A TikTok clip has been making waves online after a Malaysian officer, Corporal Zulfami Shariff, shared an interesting fact to members of the public when dealing with police officers. In the video, which was posted to his page @abmgojes, Corporal Zulfami revealed that one does not need to follow the orders of a police officer if the officer does not provide their authority card as proof of their position.
Providing more insight in the clip, Corporal Zulfami stated that any police officer who intends to carry out an inspection or to take someone into custody must show their authority card to the person whom they are carrying out this action towards.
“If the officer does not show you their authority card, you, as the person being inspected or taken into custody, can ask them to provide it to you. And it is not just showing the card to you, you can ask for it and read about the officer’s details, including their name, police number, and rank,” said the corporal in the video.
Importantly, Corporal Zulfami stated that should the “officer” not provide their authority card to you, one is allowed to negate any instruction they intend to make.
“In these situations, it is not that you are refusing to cooperate, but you can refuse their instruction, as they could be pretending to be a police officer,” added Corporal Zulfami.
Speaking on some instances he has heard of as well, Corporal Zulfami stated that there are people who disguise themselves as officers to take bribes from members of the public.
Additionally, the corporal also spoke of a circumstance where a legitimate police officer apprehended a regular individual, but refused to provide their authority card when the man asked for it. Bringing said matter to the courts, Corporal Zulfami stated that the man had won the case due to the officer’s actions.
In a subsequent TikTok video, Corporal Zulfami stated that while regular Malaysians may request to see authority cards from officers, they are not allowed to take a photo or video of it. However, one may take down the officer’s information for safe-keeping.
Corporal Zulfami also provided an image of what these authority cards look like, so that laymen may recognise it when seeking out this information from officers who seek to stop or apprehend them.
Concluding his thoughts, Corporal Zulfami hopes that the Malaysian public will understand their rights as laymen in Malaysia should they come across officers and figures of authority. On the flip side, he also advised fellow policemen and others in positions of power to follow through with their standard operating procedures so as to instil a sense of trust with the public.
Watch the full TikTok video below:
@abmgojes Replying to @mamatbatupahat jika anggota polis nk buat pemeriksaan… mesti kena tunjuk kad kuasa.. lebih2 lagi yang xpakai unifom / preman… #soaldanjawab #keliaXkelia #tiktokmalaysia #abangpolis #tiktokguru
Obeying the law is crucial, but understanding what one’s rights are is just as important. Stay safe and stay vigilant!
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