Speaking to FMT, he welcomed Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s recent announcement that the government had decided to commission such a body, which would, as one of its duties, hear complaints from the public about police misconduct.

Santiago voiced confidence that the plan would succeed, saying he believed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had the strength of character to ensure it.

“Abdullah was perceived as weak, but Mahathir is seen as a strong man,” he said. “I’m sure that the top echelon of the police will support the decision.”

In 2005, a royal commission recommended the establishment of what was to be called the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). Santiago was one of the most vocal supporters of the proposal.

However, Abdullah shelved the proposal following opposition by the police and other parties.

Instead, Abdullah’s administration set up the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission, which critics say has proven ineffective. They say this is because it has to respond to complaints from 18 different government agencies and does not have the power to prosecute.

Santiago also told FMT he believed the police would find it hard to deny that Malaysians were looking forward to the establishment of the IPCMC. The people had shown this by voting for Pakatan Harapan (PH), he said.

“People voted for PH on the promise of reforms, one of which is to be realised with the IPCMC’s establishment,” he added.