Ex-IGP: No laws prohibiting public from recording raids

There are no laws prohibiting the public from recording police raids, according to former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan.

Musa was commenting on the arrest of three individuals for recording a police raid on a music gig at a record store in Georgetown, Penang on Jan 28.

A co-owner of the store was also held for more than 12 hours for not possessing an entertainment licence following the raid.

Musa was quoted by Free Malaysia Today as saying that the police should clarify the raid and any related arrests made to counter any negative public perception.

“If there are no laws (banning the recording of raids by the public), why the need to arrest anyone?

“Under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution, we cannot restrict their freedom, unless there is a law that allows us to do so,” he said, referring to the personal liberty of an individual.

Former Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir also concurred that there is no law forbidding members of the public from recording a police raid in progress.

The lawyer added that the individuals have the option of filing a civil action against the police.

‘Interfering’ with police duties

DAP’s Lim Lip Eng previously urged the attorney-general to explain why the three individuals were arrested for recording the raid and described it as an act of oppression.

If the public was not allowed to film, he said, then the police force should be equipped with body cameras as it would prevent situations like these from being misconstrued.

Lim then said that it was very subjective for the act to be construed as “interfering” with police duties. He also urged the authorities to explain why the public cannot record operations carried out openly.

Musa added to Lim’s suggestion that law enforcement officers should begin wearing body cameras to prevent unfounded allegations.

“This was something I suggested before. I also proposed for patrol cars to be equipped with cameras,” he said.

He claimed that the lack of funding from the government prevented the initiative from being put into action.

Putrajaya could no longer put the initiative on hold, according to Musa, as it was a step that may address a number of problems that can arise during a sting.

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