Low to raise IPCMC issue at Cabinet

NGOs and other Indians leaders would postpone the proposed rally against deaths in custody pending response from the government.

PETALING JAYA: The motion to establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) will be raised in the Cabinet meeting tomorrow, said MIC central working committee member S Vell Paari.

The MIC leader said that this was a commitment made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low, during a meeting with several NGOs and Vell Paari earlier today.

“Low is committed to bring the IPCMC issue for discussion and he will try to get support from the Cabinet.

“As for me, I will also speak to the two MIC ministers and my party for action to be taken,’ said Vell Paari.

In the past five months, a total of eight deaths in custody have occurred 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 asthma attack, post mortem report revealed that he died due to the presence on multiple injuries on him.

The most recent case happened on Saturday, when security guard P Karunanithi was found dead at the Tampin police headquarters. The police classified the case as “sudden death”.

Vell Paari said that Low was told that the public are livid on the recent cases of deaths in custody and they wanted immediate action.

“I also want firm action taken against policemen who are involved in these deaths to show that the government is serious about the matter,” he said.

Vell Paari added that anti-crime NGO, MyWatch advisor S Gobi Krishnan had pointed out to Low that between 2000 and 2010, 122 people have lost their lives while in custody.

“And Gobi said that it was baffling that the police are not willing to let themselves to be investigated when they have all powers to probe the rakyat,”he said.

Vell Paari also said that Low was told on the difference between the existing Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) and the IPCMC.

“The EAIC has no power to take action against the police and they are also bound under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

“However, the IPCMC will have full power as the commission members are appointed by the King and they report to the Parliament. This will make the commission more reliable in discharging its duties,” he said.

Pending response from the government, Vell Paari said that the NGOs have promised to postpone the proposed rally against deaths in custody.

The NGOs present in the meeting were Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (MIPAS), WargaAMAN, Respect All Religions and Race (RARE), Federation of Malaysian Indian Organisations (PRIMA), People’s Welfare and Rights Association (POWER) and others.