bangkit.net

Amnesty International Malaysia and SUARAM welcome the recent reforms initiated by the Prime Minister on judicial appointments commission and measures to make the Anti-Corruption Agency more independent.

On the same note, we would like to seek the attention of the Prime Minister on the pending reforms on policing in Malaysia, namely the implementation of the recommendations made by The Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police (Royal Police Commission).

Especially to be noted is that key recommendations pertaining human rights, as prescribed in Chapter 10 of the Royal Police Commission report, remain unimplemented after 3 years the report was made public.

Among the key recommendations made by the Royal Police Commission that are yet to be implemented are as follows:

· Establish an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

· Amend section 27 of the Police Act 1967 which stipulates the need to have a police permit to organise assembly.

· Repeal Restricted Residence Act 1933 that allows the preventive detention of suspected criminals in a specific residential area that may extend up to the lifetime of a person.

· Repeal Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969.

· Conduct inquiries into all cases of custodial deaths and make the process more expeditious, transparent and accountable.

· Enhance Special Branch accountability with its powers and responsibilities spelt out in law so that it can function impartially and independently and to clearly define the term ’security’ to avoid misconception and abuse of power.

The recommendations made by the Commissioners were key reforms to improve the professionalism of the force and to ensure that human rights, rule of law and public accountability are observed and implemented by the police.

However, there are still many cases of corruption and other misconducts like abuse of power and human rights violations recorded. There were also numerous concerns raised on the ineffectiveness and professionalism of the force in handling public complaints.

Amnesty International Malaysia and SUARAM hereby emphasise that reforms, especially those relating to policing are crucial and should not be delayed as abuses of powers and corrupt practices affect the fundamental rights of the public and the confidence of the people towards the force.

We believe the institutional reforms leading to a professional police service that respects and protects the human rights of all and be accountable to the people they serve should not be delayed anymore. This crucial paradigm shift remains dependent upon the demonstration of political will and the sustained support from the Prime Minister and his cabinet. It is time for the government to respond promptly to the call for reform echoed during the recent general election and implement the reforms recommended by the Royal Police Commission.

We call upon the Prime Minsiter to table the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill in the coming parliament session as promised by the Prime Minister on 25 March 2008. We also call upon the government to withdraw the Special Complaints Commission (SCC) Bill that runs contrary to the intention made by the Royal Commission and rejected by civil society organisations.