EAIC Chairman Yaacob Md Sam told reporters: “I think it’s a positive note from the AGC that they are considering criminal charges to be filed.” Yaacob said after attending a dialogue with enforcement agencies here today,
“In fact, I also received a letter from the Chief Registrar’s (of the Federal Court) office and the AGC, updating me on the progress of the action they are going to take based on the report,” Yaacob said.
Last month, the commission released a report concluding that Dharmendran was tortured to death in police custody, and pressed for action to be taken against those responsible. The report also said police had tried to cover up the detainee’s death.
The EAIC is an enforcement watchdog which monitors and studies enforcement bodies and makes recommendations on what needs to be done to right the wrongs.
On another matter, Yaacob said the draft amendments to the EAIC Act had been sent to the AGC, and that it was expected to be discussed in Parliament during the October session.
According to him, the commission is currently pushing to increase the penalty for non-compliance by civil servants.
Under the amendment, government agencies’ disciplinary bodies will be required to report the outcome of any action against government servants to the EAIC.
“They would be compelled to inform us of any disciplinary action or penalty imposed on offenders charged for disciplinary matters,” said Yaacob.