MP SPEAKS The move to introduce an online tracking system for status updates on police reports is a step in the right direction.

Minister in the PM's department Idris Jala has announced that Pemandu is in the process of setting up the system through which members of the public can use their report number to access a web portal and track the progress of their investigations.

This system will without a doubt make things easier for members of the public and to a great extent ensure greater transparency in that status updates in the system become mandatory.

The system should also include reports made to all other investigation authorities such as the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) and so forth.

The minister should also focus on other more pressing problems such as delays in investigations, the lack of investigations into some reports altogether and the failure to prosecute in cases where the evidence suggests that offences have been committed but there has been no action taken.

The minister should consider putting in place a system by which members of the public can communicate and get help online where no progress is shown in the status of their case or where they have reasons to believe the investigations in their cases have been compromised be it by a lack of initiative on part of the police, members of the Attorney-General’s Chambers or otherwise.

What is needed is a balance to be struck between the interests of the public and the investigating authorities.

Whilst the authorities should not be unreasonably pressured in their investigations or decisions to prosecute, the public too must be assured that the system provides them with avenues by which their concerns about investigations and decisions to prosecute or the lack of it may be dealt with openly and effectively.

There is really no point in having a system which tells you that nothing has been done over reports lodged without giving you an avenue to complain or make suggestions in the hope that progress can be thereafter made upon your report.

A system which works both ways will most certainly work to our advantage and help lessen the burden on members of the public and further improve the image of the relevant authorities in question.

GOBIND SINGH DEO is MP for Puchong.