Who watches the Watchmen?

Without the long-delayed IPCMC, public trust will continue to erode as systemic police abuse goes unchecked under the weak IPCC.

THE recent announcement of long-awaited governance and public sector reforms will go some way in restoring public trust in national institutions.

The government’s proposed institutional reforms include limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years or two terms, separation of public prosecutor and attorney general powers, Freedom of Information Bill and the Ombudsman Bill to strengthen public accountability.

This year may well prove to be a historic year as the Madani government’s reform agenda finally come to fruition.

But personally, I feel that the one reform that the administration is slow to act on and one that the public has been clamouring for is the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

In the shadow of mounting scandals and public outcry, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) finds itself at a crossroads. Recent incidents – from fatal shootings to extortion rackets – have eroded public confidence, underscoring a systemic failure that demands immediate reform.

As we enter 2026, the need for the IPCMC has never been more pressing. This isn’t just about punishing rogue officers; it’s about safeguarding the rule of law and rebuilding trust between citizens and those sworn to protect them.

Let’s start with the facts. This independent body to oversee the police and investigate complaints of corruption and misconduct was first proposed in 2005 by a Royal Commission. But for over 20 years, this Bill has faced delays and was replaced by a weaker version, the IPCC (Independent Police Conduct Commission) which came into force in 2023.

And there is a big difference: The IPCC lacks the disciplinary authority of the proposed IPCMC, acting more as a monitoring body that can only recommend action, not impose it directly.

The IPCMC was a key element in Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto when it was swept to power after the 2018 General Election.

The Inspector-General of Police at the time, Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, was a proponent of the Bill.

“We want the IPCMC to serve both the men in blue and the man on the street. I support the government’s wish to improve the image of the police, their welfare and effectiveness.

“As the IGP, I take responsibility in ensuring the police will get the best outcomes from all aspects while the public will feel protected and will get the best service from the setting up of the IPCMC,” he was reported to have said.

There have been three administrations since Pakatan AND three IGPs since Abdul Hamid stepped down and none of them have been inclined to push for stronger police accountability.

But that does not mean the man on the street has given up on police reforms. The status quo is unsustainable. Public sentiment on social media platforms reflects growing frustration.

Last year was particularly damning.

In late 2025, a fatal police shooting in Durian Tunggal, Melaka, sparked widespread debate over accountability. The incident, now reclassified as murder and still under investigation, echoes a pattern of questionable use of force that has plagued the PDRM for years.

Just months earlier, three police officers were arrested in Sentul for allegedly extorting and molesting a female student, demanding RM10,000 or sexual favours – a brazen abuse of power that highlights how corruption infiltrates even routine encounters. And in a more recent case, a motorcyclist was slapped in a petrol station in Johor Baru. The video of the incident has gone viral.

These are not isolated blips; they form a tapestry of misconduct that includes 79 corruption cases involving PDRM personnel from January to September 2025 alone.

Twelve officers were sacked for graft last year and 1,523 disciplinary investigations were conducted, including 47 corruption-related ones. These scandals, amid broader 2025 controversies like high-profile crimes and security lapses, paint a picture of a force struggling with internal rot.

The debate centres on creating a truly independent body with teeth to discipline officers, which the current IPCC does not fully provide. Critics, including the Malaysian Bar Council and human rights groups, argue that the IPCC funnels findings back to the police, undermining its independence.

The Bar and other civil society groups, including Transparency International, have consistently advocated for the strong IPCMC to tackle police abuse and improve police integrity.

An effective IPCMC would provide transparent investigations, whistleblower protection and direct reporting to Parliament – measures that could deter misconduct and foster professionalism.

The Madani government, which continues to champion reform, must act. The administration has not committed to re-tabling the IPCMC Bill, maintaining for now that the current IPCC framework is sufficient. But delaying IPCMC risks further alienating the rakyat and perpetuating a cycle of abuse. It’s time to honour the 2005 recommendations and establish a commission worthy of its name.

Every citizen should feel safe and without fear and cynicism when approaching the police and vice versa. Only then can we ensure that the thin blue line protects, rather than preys upon, the people it serves.