KUALA LUMPUR – Despite persistent challenges within the police force, such as stress-related incidents and integrity concerns, there continues to be significant public interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail informed the Dewan Rakyat that despite the availability of 400 inspector vacancies, the number of applicants exceeded 40,000, underscoring the appeal of law enforcement as a career.
“Contrary to the prevalent discourse on police integrity issues, the reality is that whenever there’s a job opening, we witness a surge in applications, and the calibre of applicants remains consistently high.”
“The level of public interest in joining the police force is remarkable,” Saifuddin said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“Among the applicants, there are individuals proficient in multiple languages and possessing professional qualifications. Remarkably, there are even lawyers seeking to become police inspectors.”
Saifuddin said this during the Minister’s Question Time while responding to Rushdan Rusmi (Padang Besar-PN), who inquired about the rising incidents involving stressed police officers, some of which tragically led to fatalities, and the ministry’s measures to tackle these issues.
In his response, the home minister said the ongoing initiatives are aimed at addressing psychological well-being concerns within the police force. He emphasised the implementation of screening processes, including psychological assessments, from the recruitment phase onward.
Regarding stress management, Saifuddin assured that the ministry, particularly the Religious and Counselling Division, would oversee efforts to address such issues, including providing counselling services.
He attributed instances of stress-related behaviour to various factors, including job reassignments and the difficulties of adjusting to new work environments.
“The isolated incidents in Pasir Putih, Perlis, and Balik Pulau are believed to stem from symptoms of work-related stress,” he said.
“I want to assure you that the Home Ministry, particularly the police force, is cognisant of this trend. Despite being isolated incidents, measures to address them are actively being pursued by the police force.” – March 21, 2024