At a discussion today on the anticipated Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), police chiefs said they hoped that their needs could be met before they were subjected to a new oversight body.
During the question and answer session, Muallim district police chief Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof stood up to say he was against the introduction of the IPCMC.
He explained that his force was under-equipped and many of their vehicles often overheated when in use, jeopardising their efficiency.
“If you ask us what we lack, we lack so many things.
“[...] So that’s why I oppose IPCMC,” Wan Kamarul said during the “IPCMC: Towards Excellent Policing” forum at the Royal Malaysia Police College in Cheras.
Meanwhile, Timur Laut district police chief Anuar Omar urged that attention be paid to their welfare and requested for police representation on the IPCMC.
“Police culture is a big thing, if there are no police representatives on the IPCMC, I worry that proper considerations won’t be made.
“[...] And I am surprised why you can’t add another element so that police welfare is under IPCMC,” he said.
Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department Prosecution and Law principal assistant director Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri, who represented the force on the panel, echoed these sentiments.
“The police must first be better equipped and trained in line with standards of policing in developed countries.
“Before we enact this (new) act, there must be consideration of all the constraints faced by the police,” he said, adding nevertheless that the force was “committed” to the IPCMC.
Police feel underappreciated
Meanwhile, Kuantan district police chief Mohamad Noor Yusof Ali questioned if setting up IPCMC would result in overlapping probes into police conduct by other enforcement agencies.
He also lamented that the move would mount pressure on officers, who he said were already not being sufficiently appreciated for their efforts.
“In the 2018 general election, we had a peaceful transition of government, who helped?
“[...] Did anyone tell the public that this was a great feat?” he asked, appealing to the media to provide more positive coverage.
Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (Jips) chief Zamri Yahya expressed concern that the new commission would be too harsh on officers and would not allow them to appeal.
“I am worried because there is no room for appeal; this is not social justice.
“If the (IPCMC) chairperson is someone who is harsh, aggressive [...] in the long run, it will worsen the police force’s image and cause the rakyat and country to suffer,” he said.
Jips presently oversees integrity issues in the force.
Responding to police, panellist and Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) chairperson A Aziz A Rahim clarified that the IPCMC would only have the power to investigate complaints against the police.
Bukit Aman’s Mohd Azman, meanwhile, said that the police will draft a bill of rights for the cops to supplement the IPCMC.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said previously that a move to introduce the IPCMC would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next year.
It will replace the EAIC. - Mkini
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