Suaram has insisted that setting up anything apart from an Independent Police Commission and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) will be eyewash.

The human rights watchdog was responding to Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s proposal yesterday to form an internal investigative body as an alternative.

NONE "Suaram rejects this alternative mechanism which will end up like the toothless Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) which overlooked 19 government agencies including the police," it said in a statement.

Although the idea suggested seems to be independent, Suaram pointed out, such an internal mechanism would be similar to the police’s disciplinary board.

"All complaints or investigations would be internal and will not be transparent to the public on judging the manner of the investigation or the outcome of it.

"Have we heard of any feedback or outcome from an internal investigation by the police on its men in blue?             

"What have happened to the report lodged by wife of custodial death victim, N Dharmendran on KL CID chief Ku Chin Wah?

"What has also happened to the report lodged by Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members who were sexually harassed while under detention in Penang  in 2011?" said the movement.

Consult civil society

Suaram said models of an oversight mechanism from other countries should be studied and analysed before implementing an internal investigation body.

The Independent Police Complaint Council in Hong Kong, Suaram said, monitors, observes and reviews the investigations by the police and deal with every complaint properly and impartially.

"This will ensure that the police force is made accountable for any misconduct and is being monitored by the oversight mechanisms.

 

"Suaram reiterates the call for the setting up of an independent oversight mechanism to make sure the police respects human rights and performs its duties in accordance with the law," it added.

Suaram said the Home Ministry and police should engage with civil society in order to get a better understanding of the situation before rushing into setting up an internal investigation body.

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