Ex-CJ heads 16-member commission on police

PETALING JAYA: Former Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah has been appointed as the chairman of a 16-member Royal Commission set up to come up with ways to turn the Royal Malaysia Police into a credible peacekeeping and law enforcement force in the 21st century. 

A statement from the Prime Minister's office yesterday afternoon named the members after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail had consented to the nominations.  

The commission is to be known as The Special Commission To Enhance The Operation And Management Of The Royal Malaysia Police. 

Dzaiddin, in an interview, expressed confidence that the commission would be able to do its job. 

The former CJ said he was looking forward to working with the other members, whom he described as “eminent.” 

“Tun Hanif (Omar) has the experience of being a former IGP, Tun Salleh (Abas) was my former boss (in the judiciary) and Datin Paduka Zaleha (Zahari) has lot of experience when she served as legal officer in the Home Ministry. 

FOR YOU: Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Aseh Che Mat (left) handing over the appointment letter to Special Commission chairman Dzaiddin at his home in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.--STARpic by JOEL CHAN.

“Then there is Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim who is well-versed in corruption issues as well as the others who are eminent in their own fields.” 

According to the statement, the terms of reference call for conducting inquiries into the police's role and responsibilities in enforcing laws; the organisational structure and deployment of human resources; the development of human resources including training and facilities in the force; work ethics and procedures for police personnel; and human rights, including women's issues, in relation to the duties of the force. 

The commission must also make recommendations for the improvement and modernisation of the force. 

The statement also stated that the commission would have 12 months to come up with its report to the King and was also required to submit an interim report to His Majesty within the first six months. 

The Home Ministry's Security and Public Order Division secretary, Datuk Hamzah Che Rus, has also been appointed as the commission secretary. 

On Dec 29, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that a royal commission would be set up to study and recommend measures to improve police efficiency and make the force more effective in law enforcement and peacekeeping in the 21st century. 

Dzaiddin said the first meeting of the commission would be called after he had met with Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Aseh Che Mat. 

Yesterday at 7.45pm, Aseh handed the letter of appointment, together with the terms of reference, to Dzaiddin at his home in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. 

Asked whether the one-year term was sufficient for the commission to study and come up with concrete proposals, Dzaiddin replied: 

“With the backing of the commission members, we should be able to do so.  

“We will know at mid-term when we prepare the progress report for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong what we have achieved and what more we need to do.” 

On whether having a 16-member commission would prove difficult in coming to a consensus, Dzaiddin said it was all a question of management. 

“I don’t think the large number will be a hindrance. As long as all the members co-operate, we will be able to fulfil the terms of reference of our job.” 

 

The Special Commission To Enhance The Operation And Management Of The Royal Malaysia Police 

1. Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah -- Chairman (former Chief Justice of Malaysia) 

2. Tun Mohammad Hanif Omar -- Deputy Chairman (former Inspector-General of Police) 

3. Tun Salleh Abas -- (former Lord President) 

4. Tan Sri Azizan Zainul Abidin -- (Petronas chairman) 

5. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye -- (Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman) 

6. Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi -- (senior lawyer) 

7. Tunku Abd Aziz Tunku Ibrahim -- (Transparency International Malaysia president) 

8. Datuk Seri Lim Ah Lek -- (former Human Resource Minister) 

9. Datuk Muhammad Rais Abd Karim -- (Malaysia Administration and Management Planning Unit former director-general) 

10. Datin Paduka Zaleha Zahari -- (High Court Justice) 

11. Datuk Dr Michael Yeoh -- (Asli executive director) 

12. Datuk A. Kadir Jasin --(Berita Publishing editor-in-chief) 

13. Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim -- (former senator) 

14. Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari -- (Malaysian Bar president)  

15. Dr Denison Jayasooria -- (Yayasan Strategik Sosial executive director) 

16. Ivy Josiah -- (Woman's Aid Organisation executive director) 

 

Terms of reference 

a) To inquire into the role and responsibilities of the police force in enforcing national laws. 

b) To inquire into the organisational structure and deployment of human resorces in the police force. 

c) To inquire into human resources development, including training and facilities in the police force. 

d) To inquire into police work ethics and procedures. 

e) To inquire into police duties in relation to human rights and women's issues. 

f) make recommendations for the enhancement and modernisation of the Royal Malaysian Police. 

 

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