IPCMC must be transparent and embrace reform

President of Transparency International Malaysia, Dato' Akhbar Satar at Transparency International – Malaysia (TI-M) will be releasing Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index results for 2018.

PETALING JAYA: The Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) should embrace reforms and be transparent while focusing on investigating police misconduct, says Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar (pic).

The president of the Malaysian Association of Certified Fraud Examiners said the IPCMC would focus exclusively on overseeing the police force, including receiving public complaints against police personnel as well as preventing and combating corruption.

"The members of the commission should be those who are proficient in policing matters in order to mete out a fair and just outcome in any hearing.

"They should also be familiar with the work and role of the police force, such as investigations and other policing matters," he said when contacted.

Such moves will lend credibility to the commission, he added.

"A panel member should not be out to bash the police, but to offer solutions. All investigations must be conducted fairly to both sides without fear or favour.

"The advantage of this new Commission is that all police misconduct and corruption cases will be the responsibility of the IPCMC.

"Conducting an investigation can be very complex and time consuming thus it also releases the police’s burden to look into integrity issues among police officers," Akhbar said.

He added that the commission has an uphill task, as most of the outcomes of investigations would not satisfy all parties.

"There will always be complaints. Now, law enforcement agencies are often blamed and held responsible, especially for deaths in custody, even before any evidence has been collected.

"Instead of finding common ground, such allegations just add fuel to the fire as certain custodial deaths might be caused by health reasons as these detainees had prior medical conditions before they were arrested," he added.

Akhbar also said the commission should recruit experienced investigators who are adept at investigating cases of misconduct and corruption involving police personnel.

"They must possess the relevant academic background, a decent personality and integrity," he said.

He added that the police force can focused on maintaining law and order while the commission handles cases of misconduct.

"The police must focus on protecting the rakyat and regain public trust and confidence," he said.