KUALA LUMPUR: The Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) must prove its effectiveness in addressing police misconduct, say legal experts.
Bar Council Task Force on IPCC and Police Accountability chairman Datuk Seri M. Ramachelvam said that the IPCC must do more to engage the public and assert its role in addressing police abuses.
"I would say that the IPCC has to prove itself. It can be better if it had more power," he said at the forum titled "IPCC and Police Accountability – The Way Forward" organised by the Malaysian Bar here on Friday (March 21).
"The IPCC needs to engage with the public, with civil society. It should be participating in forums such as this to highlight the work they do and how we can engage with them," he added.
Ramachelvam also expressed concern over the IPCC's perceived inactivity regarding significant incidents of police misconduct.
"We have not seen them taking a stand on the various police abuses that have taken place, on the various deaths in custody, on the various police shootings and deaths that have resulted from those police shootings or police encounters.
"The IPCC should come out and state what action is being taken. We look forward to them enlightening Malaysians on the work that they are doing," he said.
Despite legal limitations, Ramachelvam said the IPCC could still play an active role.
"Even with limitations, they can still do a lot – they can still have inquiries, they can still investigate.
"Update us on what is being done – how many complaints have been received, how many have been could help to ensure accountability.
The forum also featured Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights chief human rights strategist Firdaus Husni, Suara Rakyat Malaysia legal advisor Farida Mohammad and Human Rights Commission of Malaysia commissioner Ragunath Kesavan.
It was moderated by Leong May Chan, a member of the IPCC and Police Accountability task force.
The IPCC has faced criticism from various civil society organisations regarding its structural limitations.
Concerns have been raised about its lack of disciplinary authority, restricted scope of misconduct investigations and insufficient investigative powers.
The National Human Rights Society has called for amendments to the IPCC Act 2020 to address these issues and ensure genuine police accountability.
