Deputy Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan's statement that the police no longer objects to the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) has gone down well with society at large.

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said in a statement yesterday that the withdrawal of objection on the police's part is "most welcome and commendable", calling it a return to the "sanity of the police".

He however warned that the police should not renege from their course.

"I take Musa's statement at its face value, that the police is not only no longer objecting to the establishment of the IPCMC, but will co-operate with its setting up," he said.

Lim warned again that Musa's assurance should not be made a quid pro quo as part of a deal struck between the police and the powers-that-be, whereby the IPCMC would never see the light of day.

"If this is the case, then the statement made by Musa that the police no longer objects... will be utterly meaningless and farcical," he said.

Lim said Musa's statement was a long awaited one.

The statement was in fact a reversal from what had taken place in March, where the IPMC was described as threat to national security that will "undermine the ruling coalition's power" on its official news bulletin , Berita Bukit Aman.

The bulletin continued with statements threatening to vote opposition if the IPCMC comes through.

DAP wants dialogue

The Royal Police Commission had recommended IPCMC be set up last year to improve the police force, reduce corruption and curb police brutality.

In February this year, the DAP which has voiced its support over the setting up of IPCMC was refused a meeting with the police to discuss recommendations of the Royal Police Commission.

"With the new positive police attitude, I will again write to ask for a dialogue between DAP MPs and the police leadership in pursuit of a clean, efficient police service," said Lim.

Meanwhile, PAS secretary general Kamaruddin Jaffar said his party is happy that the top brass have decided to accept the proposal.

"We urge the prime minister and the cabinet not to delay any longer the implementation of the IPCMC. This should be to create that atmosphere of confidence that we are finally taking steps to creating a corrupt free society," he said.

National Human Rights Society (Hakam) exco member Elizabeth Wong said the government should have been firmer in the first place.

"It (the establishment of IPCMC) should have been carried out earlier. However, I am quite surprise that the police did not put up a bigger fight," she said.