Two NGOs have slammed the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012 for giving the police ‘broad and arbitrary powers’, and urged the government to establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

NONE Nalini Elumai ( right ), who is Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) secretary and Suaram executive director, expressed concerns about several provisions in the Bill, that is meant to replace the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The provisions allow the police to detain those suspected of security offences for up to 28 days without the suspect being brought to a judge, delay the suspect’s legal access by up to 48 hour, and subject those released from detention to electronic tracking and surveillance.

“The new proposed legislation has reduced the initial detention period, but it merely acts to further limit fundamental rights and provide wider powers to the police force that have failed to undergo reform as the 2005 recommendations proposed by the royal commission on policing have yet to be implemented,” she said.

In the joint statement today, the human rights NGOs called for amendments that allow the judiciary to scrutinise detentions under the Bill, and implement the IPCMC mooted by the royal commission.

“We have doubts and are very concerned about the powers given to the police in the Bill as Suaram in the past years has documented many cases of police abuse of power and human rights violations without any form of oversight and redress mechanism.

“The current law is believed to only go to strengthen the current climate of impunity and abuse of powers,” Nalini said.

She also said GMI and Suaram want a select committee to hold open consultations with civil society on the Bill, and abolish other laws that allow for detention without trial such as the Dangerous Drugs Act.

In addition, they want all ISA detainees to be released and paid compensation for their and their family’s sufferings, and a ‘Truth Commission’ to be established.

The Truth Commission is to “review all past ISA arrest with a view to bring involved parties in the torture and maltreatment of ISA detainees to justice and open trials,” she said.