Home Minister Azmi Khalid today urged the woman in a controversial video clip to step forward in order to facilitate police investigations.

"I give the assurance that she will be protected if she comes forward," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

The woman, believed to be of Chinese origin, was filmed using a mobile phone doing ear squats in the nude upon the instruction of a policewoman.

The clip, exposed by DAP parliamentarian Teresa Kok on Thursday, has evoked widespread outrage and criticisms against the police.

Azmi said the police must obtain a statement from the victim who is the primary witness in the case.

He added that she must provide chronological details from the point of being ordered to strip to performing the squats.

The minister also said that the case must be solved immediately to provide justice to the victim and punishment to the perpetrators.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan was reported as confirming that the incident took place at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters.

He was also quoted as saying that the policewoman had been identified as a constable and her statement has been recorded.

Meanwhile, Azmi, who has been instructed by the prime minister to go to China to convey an apology and clear the perception that Malaysian authorities were targeting Chinese nationals, said he will leave on Dec 20.

"I was supposed to go there on Nov 30 but my counterpart in China has asked for the trip to be deferred. I will explain many things, including the issues of prostitution," he added.

Gerakan is disturbed

In a related development, Gerakan appealed to the government to set up the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) as soon as possible in order to improve the credibility of the police force.

Its president Dr Lim Keng Yaik said the government should set up the commission which was recommended by the Royal Commission to enhance the operations and management of the police, without any delay.

"I again appeal to the government to set up the IPCMC, take action on that," he said, adding that the party was disturbed "with the attitude of some police personnel in carrying out their duties which has tarnished the image of the police force."

He said the police had to conduct a thorough investigation on the video clip to ensure there was no human rights being violated.

"Because no action or action taken is only known to the police, there is strong perception there is a cover up. That is bad. We keep hearing this and that, something has to be done, not good for the image of the police and the country as a whole," he said.

He also said, there were also some reports that Indonesian maids and foreign workers in the country were mistreated when they were detained by the police and hoped the police force would be more humane in future.