Cabinet to decide on PM’s powers in IPCMC

PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet will decide if the Prime Minister’s powers should be limited in the proposed Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), said Datuk Liew Vui Keong (pic).

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said there had been such suggestions, but as it is a “policy direction matter”, it needs to be referred to the Cabinet.

There are some proposals to take away the power of the prime minister from the IPCMC, and to give it to the commission, he said.

“These include the power to determine the composition of the commission and the appointment of the commissioner.

“These requests are policy direction matters, which I need to refer to Cabinet, ” said Liew, at a press conference here.

The IPCMC Bill was tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat during the recently-concluded Parliamentary session.

The de facto law minister said the government will consider all views.

“We can still amend the Bill at the committee stage during the second or third reading, if need be, ” he said.

Liew earlier attended an engagement session on the IPCMC Bill, which saw the participation of the Malaysian Bar, Suhakam, members of civil society as well as government and Opposition MPs.

He said the talks had been positive and many expressed their appreciation of the police force.

“There is a lot of concern shown towards the IPCMC, which is good. Everyone wants to ensure the police can be there to look after our safety, and at the same time, are free of misconduct, ” he said.

Another proposal made was for the amendment of clause 47 in the Bill, to include the term “operation”, said Liew.

Clause 47 notes that the police must refer to the IPCMC any incident resulting in grievous hurt or death to any person under police detention or custody.

The next Parliament session will begin on Oct 7 and will end on Dec 5.