KLANG: Low salaries are among several factors that cause some rank-and-file personnel to engage in corruption, says Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.

The Inspector-General of Police said, however, that the attitude of police personnel was what ultimately determined if they became corrupt or committed misconduct in their duties.

"I cannot deny that low pay is one of the factors.

"We can take for example a police constable. With his basic salary and allowances, he will take home RM2,500.

"In Kuala Lumpur, they will be considered urban poor but in rural areas such as Kuala Nerang, Besut, Kinabatangan, Belaga and Beluran that same pay is considered high," he told reporters after attending a walkabout at the Pandamaran Market here on Sunday (Feb 4).

He said, however, that this should not be used as an excuse.

"We can see in the news that there are also company directors who are getting caught. Are they low-income earners?" he asked.

Razarudin said they need to nurture young personnel and educate them to reject corruption.

He said they do not want to burden the community and give a negative perception of the police.

"This may lead to the public hiring more private security to replace the police.

"Our police force has the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department to oversee the conduct and discipline of our personnel," he said, adding that the department will not only take action against errant cops but also correct those who show tendencies to commit misconduct.