IPCMC bill - minister acknowledges concerns over scope of PM’s power

Civil society organisations have highlighted the need to remove the prime minister’s power to appoint commissioners as stated in the present version of the Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill.

According to de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong, who met with representatives from civil society today, they also suggested that the scope of misconduct under IPCMC be extended beyond that which happens within police stations to cover all police operations regardless of location.

“I have taken note of what they have enquired and I promised I will give them feedback and answers.

“We are going to meet again at the beginning of September and the answers will be given to them in about two weeks from now,” he told a press conference after the meeting.

The minister had earlier met with Suhakam, the Bar Council and several NGOs including Suaram, Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances, Lawyers for Liberty, Human Rights Watch and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights.

Liew stressed that while the bill was subject to change, certain amendments could only be made once the cabinet had agreed to them.

Pressed if it was possible to remove the prime minister’s power over the composition of the IPCMC for greater independence, the minister was optimistic.

“These are the things that can be considered, and if that one is agreed upon by the government, I think the amendment can be done.

“It is not major,” he said. 

He added he plans to engage the police and opposition MPs on the IPCMC bill too.

Tabled for its first reading in the previous Dewan Rakyat session, Liew expects to table it for its second and third reading in the first week of the next sitting slated to begin on Oct 7.

The tabling of the bill comes 14 years after the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police, led by former chief justice Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah, recommended the creation of the IPCMC. - Mkini