Media Statement (2)

by Lim Kit Siang  
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(Parliament, Friday) : I have faxed to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who is also Internal Security Minister, asking for a meeting on the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

I am very concerned that the Prime Minister  is backing down from his  public commitment to accept this key recommendation of the Royal Police Commission as a result of improper pressure by the police as well as vocal support by a group of UMNO MPs who do not represent all or even the majority of the Barisan Nasional MPs – especially BN MPs from Sabah, Sarawak as well as other BN component parties, such as MCA, Gerakan and MIC.

Unfortunately, the Sabah, Sarawak,  MCA, Gerakan, MIC MPs, as well as the more level-headed and rational UMNO MPs, seem to have been overawed and bullied  by the group of vocal MPs into silence, although in their heart of hearts they know that IPCMC is good for the people, country and the police themselves.

IPCMC is not a party issue as it concerns the best interests of the people and country to have a clean, incorruptible, professional, human rights-sensitive world-class police service.    It is not to run down or humiliate the Police but the contrary, to enhance police image and credibility to enjoy public confidence as the neighbourhood friends of the people.

It is not meant to selectively discriminate against the Police, as the time has come for Malaysia to uphold good governance by introducing  a system of Ombudsman to subject all government departments and enforcement agencies to external oversight mechanisms.  In this sense, an IPCMC will be like a Police Ombudsman (as it is called in some other countries) but with “teeth”.

The failure to establish the IPCMC will itself be a most  adverse reflection on the establishment of the Royal Police Commission and the delivery of Abdullah’s  reform pledge and programme.

The Royal Police Commission is a feather-in-the-cap for Abdullah, proof of his political resolve to “walk the talk” to effect reform. It would be most unfortunate and tragic if the Royal Police Commission ends up as the symbol  of the failure of his reforms, because of the police success in  hijacking  the policy-making powers on the issue by “turning over” the support the group of vocal UMNO MPs.

(21/04/2006)