THE Dewan Rakyat has passed several amendments to the Police Act 1967, including a new section that stipulates the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Honorary Commissioner-in-Chief of the police force.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said amendments was made to recognise the role of the King as the Honorary Commissioner-in-Chief of the Police, as well as to give high recognition pertaining to protocol matters of the police force.
“This provision recognises the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Supreme Head of the country as stated and the King’s power to appoint the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the deputy IGP on the recommendation of the Police Force Commission after considering the advice of the Prime Minister.
“However, in the police force, the power to administer (the police force) falls on the responsibility of the IGP as mentioned under Section 4 of the Police Act (Act 344),” he said in his winding up speech.
With the passing of the Act, it will pave the way for an increase in maximum fine to up to RM10,000 and two years’ jail if anyone is found guilty of obstructing a police on duty.
It will also see an increase of the maximum fine to RM2,000 on anyone who fails to comply with a police order to stop before reaching any barrier erected or placed by any police officer.
The Act also provides that should any police officer fail to report for duty for 14 consecutive days without a reasonable cause shall be deemed to have deserted the force and guilty of an offence.
