IPCC Bill: Suhakam concerned over lack of independence, conflict of interest

Suhakam has lent its voice to the chorus of disapproval with regard to the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) Bill 2020.

The human rights commission said it is concerned that the bill does not capture the essence of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill 2019 and the recommendations from the 2005 Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police.

“Suhakam is especially concerned with the lack of independence and weakened functions of the IPCC as it is not accorded with disciplinary powers to deal with police misconduct.

“The secretary of IPCC is to be appointed by the home affairs minister and the officers of IPCC may be appointed from any government agencies on a secondment basis to be its investigators.

"Moreover, the delegation of IPCC’s powers to any members of the police may also raise issues of conflict of interest in terms of the IPCC’s stated functions in the bill and its independence,” it added in a statement today.

Suhakam pointed out that various stakeholders, including the commission and civil society organisations, have made numerous recommendations to the government in the past with the hope to enhance the accountability of the police and promote good governance in the country.

However, it said, this was not realised in the IPCC Bill.

Therefore, Suhakam appealed to MPs to improve the bill in order for it to meet public expectations.

“Suhakam reaffirms its call for an independent body to enhance the accountability of the police force and provide a system of check and balance as an oversight mechanism.

“In view that the bill will be tabled for second reading in the Parliament today, Suhakam hopes that MPs will scrutinise the bill and further improve the bill to live up to the public expectation for an independent body to enhance the accountability of the police,” it added.

The debate on the IPCC Bill, which was tabled for first reading yesterday, has been postponed to the next Dewan Rakyat session.

Earlier, Malaysiakini reported that the Malaysian Bar had also expressed disagreement with the watered-down version of the IPCMC Bill and revealed that it was not consulted on the matter. 

“The Malaysian Bar wishes to be consulted and will be ready to assist to provide any input necessary to ensure that a comprehensive and effective IPCC Bill is implemented.

"We have worked tirelessly with various stakeholders in the past, and hope that the concerns by all parties will be addressed in the IPCC Bill," said its president Salim Bashir.

Meanwhile, PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan, who expressed frustration over the bill, said the government should drop the “I” which stands for “independent” and call it the Police Conduct Commission instead. - Mkini