The dust on the report by the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysian Police seems to have settled. However, I feel the report has missed out one recommendation.

In Brazil, Taiwan and the US, the police report to a mayor. The mayor of a city in those countries is the person responsible for fighting crime. We could introduce a similar system in Malaysia where the police organisation is de-centralised with each state police chief reporting directly to the menteri besar or chief minister.

De-centralising the police organisation would also help keep them in check. Right now, as it is, the police force is too powerful with even the Anti-Corruption Report reluctant to investigate them.

De-centralising would also allow the menteri besar of the chief minister to act accordingly on the crime situation within their area without having some police officer telling them that the crime rate has been 'reduced'.

One disadvantage of this system, if implemented, is that the police in areas ruled by PAS would have to enforce 'hudud' law. But then again, this is the choice of the people there.