Two Pakatan Rakyat leaders have pointed out that the police force has left itself wide open to criticism in investigating the fatal shooting of civilians by its own personnel.

mtuc syabas pc 091007 charles santiago Had the government created the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Comission (IPCMC), there would have been more public confidence in the conclusions of the police force, said Klang MP Charles Santiago.

“Instead a watered-down version, the Special Complaints Commission (SCC) Bill, was tabled in Parliament," he said in a statement today

"This failed to address the fundamental need for a mechanism that forces the police to be accountable. And worse, complaints would (have to) be directed to the police to investigate themselves."

On Monday, 15-year-old Aminulrasyid Amzah was fatally shot by the police in Shah Alam.

NONE Echoing the sentiment, PAS information chief Idris Ahmad called for an independent comission to investigate the shooting of not only Aminulrasyid (left) , but also of Norizan Salleh.

Norizan, 30, was shot five times by police along the Middle Ring Road II in Gombak on Oct 30 last year. The bullets shattered her right arm bone and and another hit her lungs, landing her in the National Heart Institute for 12 days.

Police had claimed that the vehicle in which Norizan was riding had tried to ram them - the same reason was offered in the case of Aminulrasyid, who was driving his sister's Proton Iswara at the time of the incident.

“It would be fairer and more transparent if a third party in the form of an independent comission takes over the investigation to ensure proper justice for the victim and family,” Idris said in a separate statement.

'No explanation yet'

Norizan has not received any explanation was from the police to date, and has been forced to cover her medical expenses of RM20,000 on her own.

idris ahmad “PAS hopes that these two cases can be properly solved. The rakyat has a right to judge the performance of the police, while the police force needs to ensure its credibility,” added Idris.

The IPCMC was mooted by a royal commission of inquiry early during the tenure of premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, alongside other areas of reform of the police force.

However, there was resistance from the police, leading to the creation of the SCC which is intended to cover the actions of personnel in all enforcement bodies.

In another statement, human rights group Suaram added to the calls to set up the IPCMC.

royal police commission report and custodial deaths "Suaram demands that the government immediately follows through with the suggestions made by the the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police particularly in the setting up of the IPCMC," said Suaram coordinator Yap Heng Lung.

He said the lack of transparency and a clear mechanism in explaining the use of police firearms is a major contributing factor where suspects are killed by police.

"What is even more disappointing is that the document relating to the guidelines on the use of firearms by the police is restricted," he added.