The home ministry said of that number, 294 officers (or 86.7%), were transferred within the peninsula, 25 (7.4%) to Sabah and 20 (5.9%) to Sarawak.

“The transfers were made because it was found that the police officers involved had discipline and integrity problems, and had committed criminal offences,” according to a written reply published on the Parliament website today.

It was a reply to a question posed by Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (GPS-Igan), who wanted to know the number of police officers from Peninsular Malaysia who had been transferred to Sarawak due to disciplinary problems.

According to the ministry, among the issues and offences committed by these officers were being involved in extra-marital affairs with married officers, and engaging in immoral activities.

The ministry said the decision was made after taking into account the existing transfer policy and rules, namely Service Circular No 3, 2004 (Guidelines on Transfer of Public Officials).

Under these rules, the transfer is not used as a punishment unless it can help smoothen the process of disciplinary action against the officers involved.