bangkit.net

SUARAM welcomes the statement by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that the Bill for the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) will be tabled in the coming parliament session. The IPCMC is already almost two years behind the May 2006 deadline set by the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police (Royal Police Commission) for its implementation.

Nevertheless, it must be noted that this is not the first time such promises are made. In 2007, then-de facto law minister Nazri Aziz, had said that the IPCMC Bill will be tabled in Parliament before the end of the previous parliament sitting. Needless to say, and rather unsurprisingly, the bill never saw the light of day. Instead, a Special Complaints Commission (SCC) Bill, which was a major departure from the recommendations made by the Royal Police Commission, was tabled.

In view of the latest statement by the Prime Minister, SUARAM therefore urges the government to table the original IPCMC Bill proposed by the Royal Police Commission and discard the SCC Bill which were rejected by civil society organisations.

SUARAM reiterates the urgent need for a fully independent external mechanism to oversee the force which has been rocked by innumerable allegations of abuses of power, ranging from corruption practices to acts of torture on detainees. These concerns were also shared by the Royal Police Commission in 2005. In its report, the Commission stated that the internal mechanisms currently governed by the police themselves are inadequate, unreliable and highly ineffective.

The new motto of the police force, “Tegas, Adil and Berhemah” (Firm, Fair and Courteous) and “integrity is our culture”, will not bring any substantial changes until and unless there are necessary mechanisms in place to check and balance the powers of the police force. Its previous motto, “Mesra, Cepat dan Betul” (Friendly, Efficient and Accurate) has proven to be quite the contrary to the reality of the ineffectiveness and violent conduct often attributed to the Malaysian police.

The huge loss of votes for the Barisan Nasional in the recent general election is a clear indication of the overwhelming disappointment of the citizenry towards the unfulfilled promises of reforms, including those relating to the police force, made by the prior government.

Already nearing two years behind time, the government must table the IPCMC Bill that includes all recommendations by the Royal Police Commission in the nearest time. SUARAM also demands that there be a public consultation process in the drafting of the bill. The setting up of the IPCMC is crucial as a preliminary step to resolve the serious problems within the police force and to restore the eroding confidence of the people towards the force and also the government.