‘We will support IPCMC Bill if…’

Barisan Nasional backbenchers say they will have to study the pros and cons of the bill before making any decisions.

PETALING JAYA: Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin said that he would support Pakatan Rakyat’s bill to set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) if it is good for society.

“But you must propose on how to improve the police force as well. If the opposition wants to table the bill just to criticise the police, we will not support it,” said the outspoken MP.

In the past five months, eight people have died in custody throughout the country, raising public anger against the police.

On May 21, Indah Water employee N Dhamendran, 32, was found dead at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters after he went there to lodge a police report.

Although the police claimed that Dhamendran died due to an asthma attack, post mortem report revealed that he was beaten to death due to the presence of multiple injuries on his body.

On June 1, security guard P Karunanithi was found dead at the Tampin police headquarters. The post mortem report revealed 49 bruises on Karunanithi’s remains.

Subsequently, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang announced that Pakatan would submit a Private Member’s Bill to set up the IPCMC when parliament convened.

Bung, a Umno supreme council member, defended the police saying that the latter is already taking the necessary steps to address custodial deaths.

“Everyone is concerned about the matter but the police is already taking action to prevent it,” he said.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro Based Minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman echoed Bung’s sentiments, saying BN will look into the IPCMC Bill when “the time comes.”

“We have to look at its merits. I cannot make pre-conclusions and the bill must be debated,” said the Pasir Salak MP.

MIC vice president M Saravanan added that BN backbenchers will have to look at the bill’s pros and cons before making any decision.

“And I cannot make an individual decision. We will make a collective decision,” said the Tapah MP.

When approached, Ayer Hitam MP, Wee Ka Siong, said: “I have not seen (IPCMC Bill) yet.”