Ramasamy: EAIC no match for IPCMC

Enforcement watchdog still a toothless tiger, says Penang Deputy CM II.

GEORGE TOWN: An enforcement watchdog is no substitute for an Independent Police Complaints Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said.

While the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has done “some good work”, the DAP politician said there were limitations to what it could do.

The EAIC, he said, cannot take action other than recommending what needs to be done. An IPCMC, on the other hand, can receive complaints and take action against the police.

“Since there is no IPCMC, human rights organisations and those concerned with the increasing number of deaths in custody have to rely on the EAIC.

“While it is quite easy to criticise the EAIC for being a government creation and a commission that lacked real independence, it cannot be denied that the agency, despite the lack of funds, has done some good work,” Ramasamy said in a press statement today.

He went on to praise EAIC chairman and former judge Yaacob Md Sam for fearlessly reprimanding the men in blue.

He said Yaacob’s admonishing of the police on matters concerning custodial deaths showed that he was committed to preserving human rights.

“Yaacob is not there to please the police or other law enforcement agencies, but to do his duty in the best possible manner.

“Hopefully, EAIC under his leadership can go beyond three cases, and tell the public why so many deaths have occurred in police lock-ups.”