PKR Youth: Probe into alleged assault shows need for IPCMC

PKR Youth believes that the alleged irregularities in the ongoing police investigation over an assault on a disabled e-hailing driver had shown the need for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

PKR Youth central committee member Farah Ariana said what happened clearly affected the integrity of the police and impinged upon the people’s trust in them to defend the rights and interests of those who “do not have much power or influence”.

“Victims, especially persons with disabilities who came to make a police report regarding assault allegations should not be treated as if they were suspects,” she said in a statement today.

She said that the RM800 compensation allegedly offered to the victim due to the possibility that his phone would be confiscated for investigation deviated from the moral principles that the police should support.

“The choice given was very unreasonable considering the victim has to rely on a mobile phone to continue his job as a Grab driver,” she added.

In January, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced the appointment of five out of seven members of the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC), enforced last July after the Dewan Rakyat passed the IPCC Act 2020 in July 2022 by former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s government.

It is widely viewed by critics as a toothless replacement for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill, which the Pakatan Harapan administration mooted in 2019.

Leveraging ‘supermajority’ in Parliament

Muda also shared PKR Youth’s sentiments, calling for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to leverage the government’s “supermajority” in Parliament to table and pass the bill to establish IPCMC.

It stressed that it is time for Anwar to use the power of the two-thirds majority to implement institutional changes and reforms.

“If this issue wasn’t ‘leaked’ or ‘exposed’ to the media, this injustice would surely go unnoticed. This implies the possibility that many similar cases have gone unnoticed.

“It is hoped that the prime minister will not only issue statements or hold press conferences to boldly claim that he will not compromise (in such matters) but not come up with any action or solution.

“Muda assures to fully support (the tabling of IPCMC Bill) through our sole parliamentary representative (Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman),” Muda said in a statement today.

Various irregularities

Earlier, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng called for an in-depth investigation into how the police handled the probe into the alleged assault by a police escort of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim at a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

The victim, Ong Ing Keong, a disabled e-hailing driver, was waiting at the hotel’s lobby for passengers who had booked his ride.

It was also alleged that there were four police reports lodged by Ong in total, three of which were prepared by the police. Ong allegedly only contributed to the first report that he lodged.

The second report, lodged just hours after the first on May 28, stated that Ong did not wish to pursue the matter further, leading to various quarters urging the police to continue the probe as there is no settling what is now a criminal case.

The police later clarified that investigations are ongoing despite the second report.

Advocates also claim that Ong likely did not fully understand the contents of the subsequent reports, which he was told to sign.

RCI on VVIP assaults on civilians

Meanwhile, Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali has urged for the formation of an independent Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to study and refine all incidents involving VVIPs and ordinary people.

Taking to Facebook, Rafique stressed that it is time for the people, as a mature society, to openly discuss the need to demand transparency in all forms of investigations in cases involving VVIPs.

Rafique, who is also a lawyer, said the people need to feel safe in a country that practises the constitutional monarchy system.

“Not only is there a need for an in-depth investigation into the police system, but the investigation this time around must be directed towards identifying the extent of the authorities’ inclination towards those who are wealthy, with ranks, with properties, and with titles.

“The people are not balls to be kicked around and played with by those who have it all.

“This country has laws and a constitution that is above everyone.”

Rafique also reminded the authorities that the amendment to the Federal Constitution, which removed legal immunity for royals, was to ensure that “the people were safe from the excessive powers of the superiors”.

“The authorities should also remember that the law has to be enforced fairly. Don’t misuse the law to only protect the rich.”

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