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We propose that the report of the Royal Commission be presented to Parliament, so that it can be debated
 

Press Statement
by
Dr Tan Seng Giaw

(Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday): An attempt to upgrade the police so that one day it can become world-class is a step in the right direction. Lest it be misconstrued, the report of the commission should be presented to the Dewan Rakyat within a practicably short time. Lim Kit Siang’s perception that the commission should be able to produce results within months and not years has a basis.

 Although the investigation on the Perwaja Steel saga is not by a royal commission, the authority has yet to present a report years later. Hence, the expectation on the above-mentioned royal commission is high.

 The Prime Minister intends to review the police force in its totality, adding that ‘this is not a lip service, and I am not doing this for my popularity.’

 We have called for a Royal Commission before. Now, the PM is interested. We hope that the terms of reference include appointing credible members who are truly non-partisan. While we are still a long way from being a world-class police force, one of the terms should be to attain international standard.

 As we are waiting for the commission, the PM must ensure that the promise of increasing police personnel by 21,000 is fulfilled. They must be well-trained, clean, efficient and trustworthy.  Then, the problems of housing, colonial police stations, lack of modern facilities and imbalanced allowances should be alleviated temporarily. Why should a police personnel who serves in a more remote area such as Grik get the same amount of housing and cost of living allowances?

 

(30/12/2003)


* Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong