Retired police officers associations say 'no' to IPCMC

KUALA LUMPUR: Establishing the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) will have a negative impact on the force, claim nine retired police officers associations.

Representing the associations, Retired Senior Police Officers Association of Malaysia, (Respa) president Tan Sri Ismail Che Rus (pic) said the police force does not need an outside body to be in charge of disciplinary matters.

"The body will jeopardise the powers of the Inspector-General of Police in issuing orders and meting out disciplinary actions.

"Such a situation will negatively impact the police force as an institution which is regimented and based on the chain of command and control," he told a press conference held at Respa headquarters located at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) on Saturday (May 4).

He added that Article 140 of the Federal Constitution clearly states that the jurisdiction of the Police Commission covers all members of the police force, and forming the IPCMC would only go against it.

"Clause 45 of the IPCMC Bill clearly infringes on the rules of natural justice as any sentence or punishment by the IPCMC is final and cannot be challenged, appealed, studied, cancelled or brought to court.

"Furthermore, clauses 57 and 58 of the Bill grant absolute power to the IPCMC to take over investigations from the IGP and they can also give orders or stop any police investigation. This is clearly against Section 4 of the Police Act 1967," he said.

Ismail said the IPCMC would also be redundant as the government currently has various commissions, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) to monitor and act on any wrongdoing.

"The police force also have the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) to take action on disciplinary matters and other infringements by police personnel," he said.

It is better to strengthen the Police Commission rather than replace it altogether with IPCMC, he added.

Ismail said Respa would also send a request to meet with newly-appointed IGP Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador to discuss matters pertaining to IPCMC.

"We will send the letter of request on Monday. We hope to meet him as soon as possible to hear his thoughts on the matter and to convey our stand," he said.