Police support IPCMC but want authorities to look into their logistical complaints

Shabby computers, printers and vehicles are some of the logistical limitations which impede police work, a public hearing in Penang on the Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill 2019 heard today.

Lack of stationery like papers for police reports also added to their plight and on many occasions, the officers had to dip into their own pockets to purchase the items for their use.

"We are happy that there we are probed for bribery but what about some of us who have to fork out our own money to buy office equipment and stationery?" asked one officer.

"We are often laughed at especially by tourists from Europe and Japan who have come to our stations to lodge complaints," said one police representative at the hearing which was held at the Federal Agency Building on Jalan Anson.

"A Japanese tourist once laughed at us and said our computers and printers belonged in a museum".

"Our vehicles are also old and need replacement. Imagine us chasing a BMW on only a motorcycle or an old Proton Waja, it's very unprofessional.

"We should at least be provided with a police vehicle. Our buildings are also so old that once a fire broke out due to old wiring," lamented the police officer.

The officer said their station also lacked much equipment including fans and they had to reach out to the elected representatives in the area to help out.

"We are grateful they are willing to see to our needs including providing us with air-conditioners which are more than what we can ask for," said the officer.

The police force in Penang, Kedah and Perlis was represented by SAC Sapii Ahmad, Insp. Zulkipli A Rahim and Abdul Malek Baharuddin, the chairperson of Persatuan Pegawai Rendah Polis Kontinjen Kedah as well as police officers Abdul Latip Abdullah and Hasni Harun.

"We support the IPCMC bill but we urged the authorities to seriously look into our work complaints as well and provide us with the logistics and equipment that we lack to do a proper job," said Malek.

Ramkarpal Singh

He said this when responding to IPCMC Special Select Committee chairperson Ramkarpal Singh who is seeking public feedback in Penang, Johor and Sabah for the bill and who had asked if the police supported the bill.

Ramkarpal said the above complaints did not amount to "misconduct" and the IPCMC was more focussed on issues like corruption in the force, threats issued by police to civilians and deaths in police custody.

Meanwhile, Zulkipli raised the issue of credibility and verification of complaints made via WhatsApp, SMSes or social media, saying the MACC had carried out a probe based on hearsay and unverified messages.

"This method is open to double standards, bias and discrimination. We ask that when a member of the commission (IPCMC) is later found to have flouted the law, we can take action against him or her," he added.

Malek asked whether the punishment for corruption and police brutality would be carried out by the police after a probe is completed by the IPCMC.

"Our superiors in the police force and their subordinates are like fathers and sons. Allow our superiors to punish the offenders so that they will respect their bosses," Malek said.

"Also we propose that the IPCMC only take up high-profile cases or else they cannot cope if they were to look into and act on every complaint," he added.

Other than Penang, three other sessions for public consultation have been scheduled in Johor, Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

The sessions intend to collect as much information as possible to produce a report within a month.

At the session in Penang today, NGOs Consumers Association of Penang, Aliran, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Persatuan Anak Jati Pulau Pinang and DAP Bagan Dalam assemblyperson Satees Muniandy also gave their views.

The committee has been tasked to come up with its recommendations to be presented to the Dewan Rakyat no later than Nov 18. - Mkini