The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) has suggested the creation of a religious unit in the police force in order to reduce disciplinary problems among personnel and reinforce positive attitudes and moral standards.

Secretary-general Azizuddin Ahmad said in a statement that a combination of professionalism, educational foundation and strong sense of morality could boost the quality of service and, in turn, change negative public perceptions of the police force.

At the same time, he called for better living standards of housing and work infrastructure to alleviate the burden and responsibilities of police personnel. They should also have access to improved technical and skills training and incentives.

Azizuddin was commenting on the findings and recommendations of the Royal commission to enhance the operation and management of the Royal Malaysian Police that were released in a report yesterday.

He said the proposed reforms should be supported by all relevant government agencies.

"Abim expects the implementation to be monitored from time to time and reviewed each year...the government should also disclose cost of implementation as part of transparency," he added.

Current matrix

DAP MP for Kepong, Dr Tan Seng Giaw, said in a statement that it would take more than upgrading logistics, manpower, housing and training of the police force to improve its performance.

He proposed comprehensive reform of the "elephantine bureaucracy and red tape in the police force".

"We must look at the structure of the force - directives and goals from above are often lost in the matrix of feudal mentality and elephantine bureaucracy," he said.

Suggesting eradication of "institutional obfuscation", he noted that this is the main source of police inefficiency "all the way to various levels of the hierarchy".

He said that the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) should be consistent in investigating police irregularities, should one be set up.

The creation of the IPCMC is among the125 recommendations of the commission, led by former Chief Justice Mohd Dzaiddin Abdullah.

The team took 18 months to complete its task and compile the report, which has been submitted to the King and to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Last Wednesday, Abdullah set up a task force comprising representatives of various government agencies to supervise implementation of the proposals under a three-phase plan.

These include a comprehensive review of preventive laws and measures to reduce the incidence of corruption and human rights abuses among police personnel.