A criminologist says the police must confront entrenched perceptions of cultural imbalance, warning that failure to do so will hinder efforts to boost non-Malay recruitment.
P Sundramoorthy of Universiti Sains Malaysia said that for the force to mirror Malaysia’s multicultural society, recruitment must be “colour-blind, merit-based and firmly anchored in preserving capability”.
He also said a lack of visible role models from diverse backgrounds has reinforced the perception, discouraging many non-Malays from enrolling.
A retired senior officer, who requested anonymity, told FMT he left service early after repeatedly watching junior colleagues promoted ahead of him despite more than two decades of service.
“It was becoming increasingly frustrating to see officers 10 years my junior promoted,” said the ex-cop, a…