Deputy home minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said as of Aug 31, there were 7,581 non-Bumiputeras in the police force – 5.5% of the total number of 136,503 personnel.

He said recruitment is based on merit, level of physical fitness, and academic qualifications.

Candidates are also screened for criminal records, subversive views or behaviours, and personal backgrounds.

“The police have guaranteed that their recruitment and promotion process is free from any racial discrimination,” he told the lower house.

Shamsul was responding to a supplementary question by V Ganabatirau (PH-Klang) who wanted assurance that the recruitment and promotion of personnel in enforcement agencies is free from bias, given the lack of non-Bumiputeras in the police force.

Ganabatirau also said that the figure of 7,581 was “too small”.

Shamsul said police had undertaken several initiatives, including easing conditions such as physical and academic criteria for the recruitment of non-Bumiputeras, as well as intensifying promotions and engagements in schools, higher educational institutions and local communities.

“The government, especially the police, always encourages more non-Bumiputeras to join the security forces so that the forces’ composition represents the country’s diversity,” he added.