PJ MP Maria Chin offers to help new IGP set up IPCMC, while Hamid says he will ensure it serves both cops and the public.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has suggested that police officers opposed to an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) be investigated by the MACC.
He said this was to establish whether such police officers fear the IPCMC because their wealth does not commensurate with their positions.
“There must be a reason why they fear having the IPCMC set up – they are afraid they will be subject to an investigation by the IPCMC.
“One particular case needs attention, (that of) former CID director Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd whose Australian bank account (with deposits of more than A$320,000) was frozen (in Australia),” he said in a statement today.
Lim said Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador could report such officers to the MACC for a thorough investigation to determine if their lifestyle and assets fit their income.
He also praised Hamid’s support for the IPCMC despite opposition from within the police force.
Earlier, the newly-minted IGP said he wants the IPCMC to serve both the men in blue and the man-on-the-street.
“I support the government’s wish to improve the image of the police, their welfare and effectiveness.
“As the IGP, I take responsibility in ensuring the police will get the best outcomes from all aspects while the public will feel protected and will get the best service from the setting up of the IPCMC,” he said in a statement to Malaysiakini.
The IPCMC is a thorny subject for the police with Hamid’s predecessor Mohamad Fuzi Harun among those who objected to it.
Hamid said in line with his own aspirations for the future, he will ensure that the dignity and stature of the force were protected, adding he will also seek the advice of former top cops before making any decisions.
“I will always protect the welfare of police officers as well as public interest and will never betray the duties of this position,” he was quoted as saying.
DAP lawmaker Lim also urged Abdul Hamid to look into several other unsolved murder cases, including those of Altantuyaa Shaariibuu, Teoh Beng Hock, Hussain Najadi, Kevin Morais and the “enforced disappearance” of Raymond Koh, Amri Che Mat, Joshua Hilmy and Ruth Hilmy.
“Your two-year contract as the IGP is short if compared to the decades of damage done to our enforcement system by the former administration under BN.
“I urge you to make full use of your term and uphold justice without fear or favour for the sake of our beloved country and generations of Malaysians to come,” he said.
Meanwhile, MP for Petaling Jaya Maria Chin Abdullah has offered to help Hamid to implement the IPCMC.
Maria, a former head of the electoral reform group Bersih 2.0, described the IGP’s remarks as “an exceptional statement reflecting an understanding of IPCMC and going beyond to be inclusive of the police concerns and welfare so that they deliver par excellence services.”
FMT reported that she said Hamid had made a good start, adding: “certainly I will offer my services to this new IGP to implement IPCMC.”
Human rights activist Lim Wei Jiet said he was hopeful that Hamid would be able to convince the police force to accept the new commission.
Lim, who is secretary-general of the Hakam, the National Human Rights Society, said he hoped the government would explain to the IPCMC’s opponents in the police force that the new commission would help to enhance the professionalism and reputation of the police.
He said existing mechanisms had failed to prevent abuse of power and deaths in custody remain rampant.
Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who has oversight over the police force, recently defended the decision to set up the IPCMC. He also said there is much to be explained and clarified to the police.
The National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre was instructed to brief the police on the matter. “Only after that can we go ahead with plans to enact laws concerning this,” he added.