Responding to the announcement that de facto Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister will review the bill to establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, Preethi Bhardwaj, Interim Executive Director of Amnesty International Malaysia said:
“The new government should show strong leadership and continue with the set up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
An effective IPCMC will not only prevent police misconduct, but will also contribute to improving law enforcement on a wider scale, strengthening the legitimacy of the police agency in the country.
Amnesty International Malaysia is ready to work with the government, to ensure that an effective IPCMC is created and other important human rights reforms are implemented.”
Background
On 18 March 2020, the de facto Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Takiyuddin Hassan said that he and the Home Minister will review the bill to establish an Independent Police Commission, and share their view with the Security Cluster led by the Minister of Defence, before it is brought to the Cabinet for discussion.
In late 2018, the former Pakatan Harapan government announced plans to establish a police complaints commission, to investigate police misconduct, serve as a police oversight body, and advise on policy relating to policing. A bill to establish the IPCMC has been under discussion, in parliament, and was due to be tabled again in March. Following the change in government which occurred in late February, parliament has been postponed to May.