'Slightly different' IPCMC will only investigate complaints - source

The "slightly different" version of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) bill will likely seek to establish a body that only investigates complaints, according to a source.

The new bill, reportedly dubbed the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), will not have the authority to meet any punishment.

Instead, a Perikatan Nasional lawmaker with knowledge of the bill, told Malaysiakini that the proposed IPCC would only make recommendations to the Police Commission for further action.

"It will just investigate and make recommendations to the Police Force Commission. I've asked the police, and they are fine with that," the lawmaker said.

Malaysiakini has contacted de facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan and Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin for confirmation and further comment.

If true, this would mean that the IPCC would have the same limited powers as the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission which can only probe, but not punish.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, who oversaw the Parliament Select Committee on the IPCMC, said this would render the IPCC moot.

"I want to see the bill before commenting further, but there's no purpose to the IPCC if they're not giving it any powers to take action," he told Malaysiakini.

The IPCC bill is expected to be tabled in the next few days.

The IPCMC was first proposed by the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police in 2005.

It was watered down to the EAIC after fierce objections by the police force under then inspector-general of police Musa Hassan.

The IPCMC, as tabled by Pakatan Harapan last year, would have allowed the commission to take action ranging from warnings, pay cuts, to dismissal against officers found guilty of misconduct.

PN lawmakers, however, have claimed that the IPCMC unfairly victimised police.

It is believed that their opposition to the commission is tied with how the police would vote in an election. - Mkini