Previous govt set up IPCC due to political considerations - Saifuddin

While the prime minister, in his then capacity as opposition leader, initially wanted to set up an overarching agency to monitor all enforcement agencies, the then-government decided to establish one agency specifically to probe errant police personnel, said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said this during a press conference at the official launch of the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC), Police, Friends and Collaborators programme, known as IPFC in Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present was Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain.

“Initially, the prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim as opposition leader in early 2022) wanted an overarching agency to monitor all enforcement agencies.

“However, due to political considerations in 2022, the then-government decided to focus on the police first,” he added.

However, Saifuddin did not elaborate on the political considerations point.

It should be noted that IPCC has already been operational since July 1 last year.

Saifuddin said that since its establishment, IPCC had received 529 complaints as of Nov 22, including those pending before the commission’s inception.

“There are three types of complaints lodged. One is on corruption – which is directed to the MACC.

“Second involves criminality, which is referred back to the police and third one involves misconduct – which is probed by the IPCC itself,” he added.

Managing public expectations

Saifuddin, however, said the establishment of the IPCC was not solely due to public pressure.

The minister said that while the police have succeeded in many ways since its inception 217 years ago, public expectation, especially in terms of integrity and others.

“And this is where IPCC comes in…to manage public expectation over our largest enforcement agency that is dealing with bigger challenges.

Apart from dealing with complaints against errant officers, Saifuddin said the IPCC would also look into the welfare of police officers.

“And the commission also plays a role in monitoring the welfare and wellbeing of our police officers,” Saifuddin added.

‘Toothless’

It should be noted that several quarters had panned the establishment of IPCC, with the Malaysian Bar calling it “toothless” and “lacks authority” to uphold police accountability.

The organisation has been vocal over the past years on the enforcement of the Act, opting for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to be established instead of the IPCC.

“It goes without saying that the police cannot police themselves.

“The IPCMC will provide the police with the dignity and respect it rightly deserves by addressing the misconduct committed by a few of its members.

“Which brings disrepute to the rest of the hardworking men and women in blue who are committed to serving our nation and its people,” the group’s president Karen Cheah was reported as saying.

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