The government's move to set up the Royal Commission to Enhance The Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysian Police (Police Commission) was a good move to restore public confidence towards police. Police Commission made 125 recommendations dealing with issues ranging from the conduct of police to their welfare and terms of service as well as on human rights, crime, corruption (Aliran Monthly.Vol 26(11/12)Pg.25). Formation of IPCMC is one of the recommendations from the Police Commission.
Nowadays, public complained about police action and brutality when controlling the illegal gatherings and assemblies. SUHAKAM also received many reports and complaints from the public regarding the police action when controlling the crowd. The reports and complaints said that police used force when try to disperse the crowd. Police also used tear gas and water canon to disperse the crowd. Although SUHAKAM played a role in keeping the police accountable but has limited power and only can make recommendations to the government. If the government set up IPCMC, it will make the police and government more accountable to the public.
“The IPCMC will have broad powers to obtain documents, issue search warrants and summon witness. Any person who fails to attend when summoned or gives evidence which is false or willfully destroys evidence or threatens a witness or prevents a witness from attending an inquiry commits an offence and can upon conviction be fined up to RM 10,000 and/or imprisoned for up to two years.
(Aliran Monthly.Vol 26(11/12)Pg.27)
If we see the incidents like BERSIH, BMC and HINDRAF gatherings police used unnecessary force to disperse the crowd. Although illegal gatherings are wrong under the Police Act 1967, but it is not an excuse for the police to use force against the civilians. But for the BERSIH gathering, SUHAKAM played a role as a watchdog and reported that police used necessary force to handle that gathering. In the NST report on May 18 2008 about SUHAKAM annual report stated that:-
“The force should not act on mere suspicious, speculation, fear or imagination. There must be clear evidence of public disorder or incitement to create violence. Powers provided by restrictive laws such as the Sedition Act, Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act and Police Act should be exercised judiciously and a balance must be struck between security concerns and civil rights and freedom”.
So, with these facts, the government should set up IPCMC which is play a role as a watchdog for the police. So, the police will not abuse power, corrupted or lack of accountability.
Nowadays, public complained about police action and brutality when controlling the illegal gatherings and assemblies. SUHAKAM also received many reports and complaints from the public regarding the police action when controlling the crowd. The reports and complaints said that police used force when try to disperse the crowd. Police also used tear gas and water canon to disperse the crowd. Although SUHAKAM played a role in keeping the police accountable but has limited power and only can make recommendations to the government. If the government set up IPCMC, it will make the police and government more accountable to the public.
“The IPCMC will have broad powers to obtain documents, issue search warrants and summon witness. Any person who fails to attend when summoned or gives evidence which is false or willfully destroys evidence or threatens a witness or prevents a witness from attending an inquiry commits an offence and can upon conviction be fined up to RM 10,000 and/or imprisoned for up to two years.
(Aliran Monthly.Vol 26(11/12)Pg.27)
If we see the incidents like BERSIH, BMC and HINDRAF gatherings police used unnecessary force to disperse the crowd. Although illegal gatherings are wrong under the Police Act 1967, but it is not an excuse for the police to use force against the civilians. But for the BERSIH gathering, SUHAKAM played a role as a watchdog and reported that police used necessary force to handle that gathering. In the NST report on May 18 2008 about SUHAKAM annual report stated that:-
“The force should not act on mere suspicious, speculation, fear or imagination. There must be clear evidence of public disorder or incitement to create violence. Powers provided by restrictive laws such as the Sedition Act, Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act and Police Act should be exercised judiciously and a balance must be struck between security concerns and civil rights and freedom”.
So, with these facts, the government should set up IPCMC which is play a role as a watchdog for the police. So, the police will not abuse power, corrupted or lack of accountability.
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