The government must implement the changes that a majority of Malaysians know in their hearts must take place 'so that the despair in their eyes may be replaced with hope'.

In saying this, the Bar Council today reiterated its call for the setting-up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

Its implementation will prove to be the most significant measure in the nation's effort to restore the credibility of the police force, said its chairperson Yeo Yang Poh in a statement.

Crediting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for his commitment to set up the commission, he said this was supported by the Malaysian Bar, which represents some 12,000 lawyers, and the public in general.

Yeo also cited the Royal Police Commission report which pointed out that there was an urgent need for a change in mindset.

And the resistance from certain Umno politicians and the police reflected the resistance to change, he said.

"This makes the implementation of the royal commission's recommendations more compelling and pressing. Change is never easy. Change causes discomfort.

"We urge the government to implement the changes...In short, we urge progress because Malaysians deserve progress," he added.

Greater freedom

Yeo also warned that curbing freedom of expression would only serve to entrench prejudices and cultivate hatred.

The barricade would force negative sentiments to go subterranean and gradually worsen in a state of suppressed silence, he added.

He said the present government allowed greater space and a more healthy environment for the expression of views including on intricate subjects such as race and religion.

Such progress must not be halted, or worse still, reversed, he added.

He said rather than threatening those who voiced their opinions with outdated laws, they should be countered with reasoned argument.

Tudung directive

In a another development, Yeo urged the police to withdraw its directive for all policewomen to wear the tudung (headscarf) during official functions.

"Having such a directive, even if accompanied by an assurance that its breach will not result in disciplinary action or a qualification that it does not apply to non-Muslim officers, constitutes an unfair and unhelpful pressure being brought upon police personnel to comply all the same," he said.

Terming it as regressive, he said uniformity should not be used to justify compulsion and added deprivation of choice.

"Instead of celebrating our richness in variety (which Malaysia openly and proudly does), we might be as well be advocating singularity," he added.