In calling for such reforms, EAIC Chairman Yaacob Md Sam said empowering the commission was more effective than pushing for the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

“I’m not saying the IPCMC is not good, but a more practical idea is to strengthen the EAIC itself.

“Empower us, support us. This could mean more manpower, more funds.”

Yaacob suggested amending the law to compel government agencies to implement its recommendations and allow it to investigate abuses committed by immigration and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers.

Speaking at a roundtable on police accountability, Yaacob said that the EAIC would try to “meet all expectations” when it comes to keeping the police in check if it is given more powers.

The EAIC, he said, had already set up a special unit, comprising 16 investigators who are lawyers, to look into complaints filed against the police.

Met by reporters later, he said the EAIC had also proposed for the law to be amended to transfer the burden of proof to enforcement agencies in custodial death cases.

“The presumption provision in the Penal Code or Evidence Act needs to be amended so that enforcement agencies will have to disprove the case.

“This will curb the recurrence of custodial deaths.”

Earlier, it was revealed that of the 1,430 complaints received by the commission, 997 involved the police. Of the 307 investigations it carried out, 258 were against the men in blue.

Yaacob also noted that most of the complaints came from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.