Will the125 recommendations of the royal police commission be implemented or remain empty talk?

This was the burning question for DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang ( second from right ), who was at the commission's office in Wisma Selangor Dredging in Kuala Lumpur this morning, to get a copy of the commission's report which was released to the public at 10am today.

Among his immediate questions were "...whether the recommendations are wide-ranging and far-reaching enough to carry out meaningful police reform as to restore public confidence in the professionalism, efficiency, effectiveness, impartially and integrity of the police force; and how far and fast the government is prepared to implement these recommendations".

The 607-page report, priced at RM100, was drawn up be a team of commissioners led by former chief justice Mohd Dzaiddin Abdullah, following extensive gathering of feedback on the state of police operations.

Lim wanted to know if the government has made a commitment to accept and implement all the recommendations.

"The commission took 18 months to make these recommendations and I hope the task force (set up last Wednesday and headed by premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) will not require another 18 months to study them," he told reporters.

Representatives from the public services department, treasury, internal security ministry and the Attorney-General's Chambers are on the task force, which will oversee implementation in three phases.

Lim suggested that the full report be uploaded immediately on the website of the internal security ministry, as is a practice in First World countries.

He further called for the commission's proposal of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to be tabled during the next parliamentary meeting on June 20, so that it can be debated and adopted.

He called for a parliamentary select committee to be set up to exercise oversight of police functions and government implementation of the recommendations.

Lim also said he would like to meet Abdullah to elaborate on the lack of progress in parliamentary reform and modernisation.

Accompanying Lim were DAP MP Seputeh Teresa Kok and MP Bukit Bintang Fong Kui Lun.

Curious public

Several members of the public were at the commission's office as early as 9am, to queue for the 1,000 copies available in Bahasa Malaysia and English respectively. There was some dissatisfaction when the queue moved slowly, due to manual issuance of receipts.

Among those in line was retired police personnel Maurice Cheong, 74.

"I want to know what has gone wrong in the police force," he said, explaining that the type and concept of police leadership would determine public perception of the police force.

Cheong, who served the force for 37 years, said British-trained police had been well respected by the public.

"The police had more authority because they served the public honestly. The public were not afraid to ask for help when in need, and the police often acted as shields."

He noted that, these days, police do not treat the public with much respect, therefore creating a "profound negative effect".

A retiree, Abdul Kudus Alias, 74, said his concern was whether or not the government would implement the recommendations.

"The recommendations should be implemented wholeheartedly. Normally the government talks, but does not perform. It's always like that," he said.

"There must be a follow-up to the implementation of the recommendations. It is important that supervision is carried out on the ground."

A mechanic with the police force, Azman Mohd Shah, 52, said he took the day off to get a copy of the report.

"I want to know what has been suggested (by the public and commissioner). It is important not just to improve the performance of police, but also to have two-way understanding between the public and police," he said,

Azman, said there has never been "such open communication like this before", adding that the report could encourage understanding among the public and the authorities.

The Report of the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysian Police took 18 months to complete.