Human rights NGOs Suaram and Amnesty International (AI) Malaysia will jointly host a 'People's Parliament' event aiming to reform the police force at the Penang State Legislative Assembly on May 31.

 

In conjunction with it, the NGOs will also be organising an exhibition on deaths in police custody. This is to raise public awareness, as there had been five such cases in Penang alone this year.

 

Spokesperson for the NGOs Ong Jing Cheng ( right ) said the People's Parliament will focus on motions to reform the police force in the country.

 

"The Tun Dzaiddin Police Commission Report in 2005 listed 125 recommendations.

"It also proposed the setting up of an independent police complaints and misconduct commission, but it was never implemented," Ong said at a press conference today.

 

"Many recommendations were not followed. Abuse of power and violence in the police force continues to take place and public perception towards the police remains negative," he added.

 

Accompanying Ong at the press event were state assembly speaker Law Choo Kiang and AI Malaysia board member Clement Ong.

 

Law will also be a speaker at the People's Parliament, while the NGOs are inviting 30 people from the public to join the programme by May 25.

 

Those who interested can register by phone by calling 012-4046310/012-7583779. They can also e-mail szeming310@gmail.com or suarampg@gmail.com.

 

Ong said several MPs will be invited to give their comments on the performance of those who participate in the People's Parliament.

They will be evaluated based on their debates and arguments on reforming the police force.

 

Law said he welcomed the efforts to organise this programme and urged the NGOs to invite other groups and associations to participate.

 

"The state legislative assembly is involved in organising such programmes in order to bring the people closer to the dewan," added the PKR Bukit Tambun assemblyperson.