Media Statement
by Teresa Kok

(Petaling Jaya, Tuesday):The content of the Royal Malaysian Polices website against IPCMC is a challenge to the authority of the Government and the Prime Minister; and shames the professional reputation of PDRM

The way the Royal Malaysian Police Force published a series of articles and statements against the establishment of the Independent Police Complaint and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) on its website www.rmp.gov.my/rmp03/edisi_khas_ipcmc.htm

is tantamount to insubordination to civilian authority and a blatant challenge to the government of the day, particularly to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who is concurrently Internal Security Minister with direct supervision authority over the Police. It is a blot of shame to the professional reputation of the Malaysian Police Force as well as disregarding the code of ethics of the police.

One of the articles quoted the Head of the Association of Gazetted Senior Police Officers, ACP Jamaludin Khalid as having said that if the government set up IPCMC, the police association members will take a series of action against the government. This include threatening that the police will vote for the opposition in the next general election in 2008 and will turn to the opposition to fight for police rights in Parliament. He said the police would also be disappointed with the ‘mute’ Internal Security Ministry.

Jamaludin further cautioned that the PDRM top brass will resign en bloc, policemen will refuse to work overtime and demand an eight-hour five-day working week, should the IPCMC be established.

The threat of anarchy and runaway crime should the ICPMC be established is also illogical and uncalled for.

Police should be neutral and be loyal to the government of the day, the country and the people, not to ruling parties. While members of the police force are free to vote for any political party, they have no business threatening not to support the government, such threats and intimidation merely demonstrates their shallow understanding of democracy.

Besides, I must stress that opposition Members of Parliament have always fought for the fair remuneration and benefits for police officers, because we recognize the important role of the police force.

While fighting for better terms and conditions of service for the police force is not the monopoly of the BN MPs, it is similarly ridiculous for the police threaten to turn to the opposition to fight for police rights in Parliament and support action against the formation of IPCMC.

The objective of the Prime Minister Abdullah’s government in setting up the Royal Police Commission is to study the problems faced by the police force and to check corruption, abuse of power and other serious malpractices in the police force.

The establishment of IPCMC is only one of the 125 recommendations made by the Royal Commission. In fact, the police force should welcome the formation of IPCMC, because it will, not only can help to protect the fundamental human rights of the public, as well as uplift the professionalism of the police force and exclude ＆black sheep from the force.

Unfortunately, the strong opposition of the police force against IPCMC gives the impression that the police considers itself a force that may not be monitored by civilian authority and has powers that may not be challenged.

This not only goes against the professional discipline of the police but may mar the public image of the police. Such insubordination also hurts the credibility and authority of the Prime Minister cum Minister of Internal Security.

I call upon the Prime Minister to take appropriate action against this unconstitutional, dangerous and unprecedented action of the Royal Malaysian Police.