Muhyiddin Yassin said today that the bill for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) will be tabled in Parliament this year.

This, the home minister said, would allow for the establishment of the IPCMC by the end of 2019.

"The establishment of IPCMC has begun, and (is expected) to be completed not long from now," he told a press conference in Putrajaya.

Muhyiddin added that the Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) chaired by Abu Kassim Mohamed had addressed the concerns raised by the police in a meeting last Friday.

These concerns, the minister said, encompass the limits of police powers, the right of appeal, and disciplinary issues.

"Previously, the police were portrayed as though they had no authority (on the establishment of the IPCMC)," he said. 

"These issues have been clarified."

At the same time, Muhyiddin noted, GIACC will draft a cabinet paper on the IPCMC that will be presented for discussion and approval.

The IPCMC has long been called for to address integrity issues with the police following complaints, including cases of custodial deaths.

During former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s tenure, the formation of teh commission was rejected outright by then-police chief Mohd Bakri Omar in 2006, with the latter saying the disciplinary powers of the Police Force Commission (SPP) should be maintained.

The Najib Abdul Razak administration, meanwhile, pledged to improve the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) instead of introducing the IPCMC.

Under Item 20 of its election manifesto, Harapan promised to implement the IPCMC within its first term.

Following the formation of the new government, former inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said that the police accepted the possible formation of the IPCMC, as long the rights of his personnel are protected.

Shortly before his retirement earlier this month, however, Fuzi said that police officers objected to the oversight body.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced last September that the EAIC would be strengthened and converted into the IPCMC.

The decision was reportedly made after it was learnt that the bulk of public complaints lodged with the EAIC concerned police misconduct.

 

Bar praises IGP's backing of IPCMC, hopes for new dawn on accountability

Bar praises IGP's backing of IPCMC, hopes for new dawn on accountability

With IPCMC Malaysia no longer seen as police state

With IPCMC Malaysia no longer seen as police state

Following meeting, police top brass greenlight IPCMC

Following meeting, police top brass greenlight IPCMC

Welcoming the IGP's assurances on the IPCMC

Welcoming the IGP's assurances on the IPCMC