Police Commission Proposal Under Consideration, Says PM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the proposed formation of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) had been submitted to the Attorney-General for legal consideration.

However Abdullah said, he would only make the final decision on the commission after considering various factors including public opinion.

"That is a proposal, but in implementing it, whatever matters that we are facing now, I have to take into account the police and the public who are still giving their views on the matter.

"I have to take into account all these. We should not disregard them," said Abdullah who is also Internal Security Minister in reply to Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) in Parliament Tuesday.

The establishment of the independent commission was one of the 125 proposals presented by the Royal Commission on Enhancement of Operations and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police in May, last year aimed at improving the professionalism of the police force.

However, the recommendation was met with open objections from three organisations in the police force, that is the Senior Police Officers Association from the Inspectors' Branch, the Senior Police Officers Association from the Gazetted Branch and the Association for Officers of Lower Ranks.

Abdullah said so far the Attorney General had held several discussions with the police on the proposed IPCMC.

On the implementation status of the 125 recommendations of the Royal Commission, Abdullah said 65 per cent had been implemented, 15 per cent to be implemented and the remaining 25 or 20 per cent were in the stage of further discussion.

"This is actually still at the discussion stage and needs further study as it involves amendments to acts such as laws on the Prevention of Crime Act and the Police Act 1967," he said.

He said the government had to consider the best options, as whatever proposals involved large allocations, such as the purchase of equipment and modern machinery in addition to the creation of additional posts.

To a supplementary question from Datuk Paduka Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai), the Prime Minister said the performance of the Malaysian police was commendable particularly at the international level.

He said the security authorities of foreign nations had expressed their appreciation towards the Malaysian Police for helping to solve several cases before this.

For example, the Indonesian police had commended the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for helping them to solve criminal cases.

"They have asked the PDRM to act as fast as possible, and within four days the PDRM could trace the criminals and take action. The crime was committed by Indonesians, and the Indonesian President himself had expressed his thanks and congratulated the PDRM," said Abdullah.

The PDRM had also assisted Scotland Yard in solving a cheating case committed by a Malaysian who had escaped to Europe.

"Our police had also tracked down this person within a short time and forced him to surrender to Scotland Yard for further investigation," he said.

The Prime Minister said all these showed that the Malaysian police were efficient in carrying out their duties.

-- BERNAMA

Archive

Police Commission Proposal Under Consideration, Says PM

RELATED ARTICLES

PRESS RELEASE : TERRORIST ATTACK IN KABUL@SIARAN AKBAR : SERANGAN PENGGANAS DI KABUL

PRESS RELEASE : CURRENT DEVELOPMENT IN YEMEN@ SIARAN AKBAR : PERKEMBANGAN SEMASA DI YAMAN

PRESS RELEASE : DETENTION OF A MALAYSIAN IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)@ SIARAN AKBAR : PENAHANAN WARGANEGARA MALAYSIA DI EMIRIAH ARAB BERSATU (UAE)