The Attorney-General's Chambers is in the final stages of studying the proposal to establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), the Dewan Negara was told today.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Mohd Johari Baharum said in principle the government had agreed to set up an independent investigative body.

Given that its establishment was something new in the administration of this country, a detailed study was required, he added.

"A detailed study was vital because it involved legal implications and the duties carried out by existing government departments and agencies," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Johari was responding to Senator Chua Kim Chuan who wanted to know why the government was taking such a long time in forming the commission.

The deputy minister said the research carried out by the AG Chambers also involved the role of other agencies which had links to the police, such as the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), the Public Complaints Bureau, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and the Internal Security Ministry.

However, he stressed that the AG Chambers was not bound by what was suggested by the Royal Police Commission, namely from the aspects of the proposed investigative body's composition and powers.

On the difference of opinions between Inspector-General of Police Mohd Bakri Omar and his deputy Musa Hassan over the issue, Johari said their views will be considered.

"We're open and accept the views from all quarters, including the IGP," he said, adding that the AG Chambers had also taken into account the views of non-governmental organisations.

No malpractice

In another development, the government denied that there was any malpractice in the purchase of Hawk jets used for training by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM).

Deputy Defence Minister Zainal Abidin Zin told the Dewan Negara that the planes were bought according to specifications and can be used for 30 years.

"We wanted Hawk, they sent us Hawk., they did not send us 'High'," he said.

The deputy minister was responding to a supplementary question from Senator Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain who wanted to know if there were any malpractice in the purchase since there have been numerous crashed involving the aircraft.

TUDM had been using the Hawk since 1990 and to date, eight of these planes had crashed.

Meanwhile, Zainal Abdidin also denied that any malpractice was involved in the purchase of spare parts for these aircraft. This was raised by Senator Tajul Urus Mat Zin in his supplementary question.

According to the deputy premier, there had been no problems in the procurement of spare parts for the Hawk.

In replying the original question by Senator Wan Hazani Wan Mohd Nor earlier, Zainal Abidin said the government had no plans to review the utilisation of the aircraft since it has provided commendable service.

He said the planes undergo routine maintenance checks based on the flying hours recorded and reports from the pilots themselves.

The deputy minister also revealed that in determining the cause of a crash, the TUDM investigation board will scrutinise all the evidence to determine if the cause was due to human error, technical, maintenance and organisational faults as well as external factors.