Suaram views the statement by the Home Minister Hishammudin Hussein that the government doesn’t have political will to set up the most needed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), as showing that the government is not serious in addressing human rights violations and the misuse of police power. We view that the position taken by the government is a total disregard to the recommendations and studies made by the Royal Commission on Police.

The minister’s statement also goes to show that the exercise of the Royal Commission is merely a public relations exercise and an eyewash without any significant will to reform the worst human right violators of the country. Suaram is seriously concerned with the attitude taken by the government to totally ignore findings made by its own appointees and the credibility of the Royal Commission initiative in Malaysia.

In view of the latest statement by the home minister , Suaram therefore challenges the  government to table the original IPCMC Bill proposed by the Royal Police Commission and discard the SCC Bill which were rejected by civil society organisations, and show their political will as a government and prove to the people that they are serious about ‘People First, Performance Now’.

Suaram reiterates the urgent need for a fully independent external mechanism to oversee the force which is known worldwide for its human rights abuse, corruption and impunity. 

These concerns were also shared by the Royal Police Commission in 2005. In its report, the commission stated that the internal mechanisms currently governed by the police themselves are inadequate, unreliable and highly ineffective.

Already nearing five years behind time, the government must table the IPCMC Bill that includes all recommendations by the Royal Police Commission at the soonest time. Suaram also demands that there be a public consultation process in the drafting of the bill.

The setting up of the IPCMC is crucial as a preliminary step to resolve the serious problems within the police force and to restore the eroding confidence of the people towards the force and also the government.

Suaram views that the PM’s rhetoric of reform and ability to reform is nothing but empty talk.

The writer is coordinator of the human rights NGO Suaram.