KUALA LUMPUR: Removing ambiguities and strengthening legal frameworks as well as promoting public awareness are a must in connection with police checking people's mobile phones, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said such efforts along with addressing specific concerns should be the means to further create a system that protected both the public and individual liberties.
"This involves collaborative efforts involving the government, law enforcement, legal experts and NGOs.
"Tt may be necessary to review some existing laws like the Communications and Multimedia Act to provide clear and specific guidelines for police access to private mobile phone data.
"This includes defining the types of offences that warrant such access, the specific procedures to be followed and the level of judicial oversight required," he said when contacted on Monday (Jan 20).
Lee also called on implementing a mandatory warrant requirement for accessing phone data.
"There is a need for measures to oversee police access to private data for an extra layer of accountability and transparency.
"These measures could further ensure a fine balance between law enforcement and the right to privacy," he said.
He also commended the Home Minister, the police and Suhakam for addressing the matter.
"They have all expressed views consonant with current legal provisions on the matter.
"There are already in existence legal provisions that protect a person’s privacy and also allow law enforcers to conduct bona fide investigations.
"However, loopholes can exist and there could also be over-zealous officers who have scant regard for exclusionary provisions," he said.
