“The IPCMC proposal is modelled after similar institutions around the world.
“The police in other countries have found that their visibility and accountability, due to the system of internal checks and controls by an independent body and the external scrutiny by the media, civil society and Parliament, instead of being obstructive, are actually beneficial in promoting the image of policemen as public servants who work to keep the people safe from crime.”
It said there is close rapport in mature democracies between the local police and the community in maintaining law and order.
“G25 would like to see a similar partnership between the police and the public in Malaysia. This can only be developed through mutual trust,” it said in a statement.
For the public to put their trust in the police force, there is a need for an independent process to oversee the police functions and take immediate measures to investigate allegations of abuse of power, it said.
“G25 is confident that those appointed to serve on IPCMC will be men and women of honourable character.
“They will sit there not to conduct a witch hunt on the top ranks of the police but instead to deliver on the public desire for good practices in the administration of law and order in the country.”
It hoped the IPCMC will play its role of being a watchdog over the police and serve as an ombudsman of public complaints against unlawful police behaviour.
“A watchdog does more than watch. It should also bite.
“If its investigation finds that there is a case for disciplinary action on police officers, the IPCMC will issue its verdict and instruct the Police Commission to carry out disciplinary procedures.
“The IPCMC will also serve as the link with the public to explain its investigation and findings so that the public is satisfied that appropriate action is being taken on their complaint.”
‘Shot in arm for New Malaysia’
G25 was happy that new Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador has supported the establishment of the IPCMC, saying this was a shot in the arm for New Malaysia.
“We believe that with the IPCMC, Malaysia will no longer be viewed as a police state. It will instead be viewed favourably for its transparency and accountability, giving our country a good name.”
The IPCMC was proposed by the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police in 2005.
This was in response to growing public concerns over the abuses of power by police, as evidenced by several unexplained cases of deaths of detainees in lock-ups; the disappearance of individuals involved in religious work; and the discovery of mass graves along the Thai border, where human trafficking, drug smuggling and bribery are common knowledge to kampung people living there.
“There were also allegations that the police was selective in acting on complaints involving those in power, including the royalty.
“Further, the police seemed to be in league with the religious authorities in stifling freedom of intellectual discussion on Islam and enforcing shariah laws on moral behaviour.
“All these examples give a bad impression on the integrity of the police command structure and raise questions whether its actions are influenced by the politics of race, religion and royalty,” G25 said.
The NGO hoped the media will continue to use its new-found freedom and the government will repeal restrictive laws to enable the media to provide the checks and balances against abuse of power.
“Under the previous government, the media had no freedom to participate actively in criticising the government, and to hold the institutions of law and order, including the police, accountable for their actions.
“Investigative reporting by the media can be a powerful tool to expose the corruption and mismanagement at the top levels of government.”