Emergency doesn't warrant power abuse, Suhakam repeats call for IPCC

 

The latest case of alleged civilian assault by police officers has prompted another call from Suhakam for Parliament to enact the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) Bill.

"While the country is now in the state of emergency, this does not warrant the abuse of power by any parties in any situation," said the national human rights commission in a statement.

Suhakam said the government must ensure that the IPCC Bill incorporates the substance of both the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill 2019 and the original 2005 Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysian Police.

"Suhakam wishes to highlight that the use of force should only be necessary and proportionate to the law enforcement’s objective and the level of resistance encountered," it said.

"Suhakam is convinced that the establishment of a more independent, free and transparent body will go a long way in restoring and enhancing the public confidence in the police force," it further said.

The IPCC Bill was one of five laws scheduled to be tabled in the session that ended last December but postponed to the initial March sitting, which has since been suspended indefinitely under emergency.

On Monday, it was reported that Pahang police have launched a probe into claims that an officer had physically assaulted an individual during an operation to bust a smuggling activity on Jan 24.

Pahang police chief Abd Jalil Hassan said Lim Xiang Hui, 20, filed a report on Jan 27, immediately after he was charged in court and released on bail, following a four-day remand in police custody.

Jalil reportedly said initial investigations revealed that Lim was arrested by police after he was suspected of conspiring with the smuggling syndicate and acting as a tonto (lookout thug).

Lim, meanwhile, previously said he was informed by officers at Muadzam Shah police station that he was suspected of being linked to "tontos" for a syndicate involved in smuggling cigarettes.

Tontos keep a lookout and warn illegal lorry operators about the location of the authorities.

Lim also alleged repeated assault by plainclothes police officers who arrested him in the wee hours of the morning on Jan 24 in Rompin, Pahang. 

On Jan 27, Lim was charged at the Rompin Magistrate's Court for obstructing civil servants from carrying out their duty and reckless driving.- Mkini