KUALA LUMPUR. April 29 — A civil rights group today urged for a review of recommendations made by the Royal Commission on the Malaysian police 10 years ago, raising concern that there is no way to track the extent that the proposed measures were adopted by the police.
The Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) said there have not been any documents or reports made available to study how far the 125 recommendations have been implemented over the past decade.
“(We call on the federal government) to issue a report on the implementation of the commission’s recommendations noting its achievements, challenges and failures to ensure a renewed commitment in enhancing the Malaysian police’s management and operations,” Proham chairman Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari and secretary-general Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria said in a joint-statement.
Kuthubul and Denison, who were also members of the Royal Commission in 2005, acknowledged that there have been improvements in police infrastructure facilities and resources, crime reduction and perception of crime, aside from the establishment of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) to independently monitor the activities of the police and other enforcement agencies.
They, however, claimed that the police are still saddled with major issues concerning public confidence towards the force, deaths in custody, abuse of power including “arrest first and then investigate” allegations and handling of public assemblies.
Proham added that the police’s use of the Sedition Act has also raised major concerns due to its inconsistency with the universal declaration of human rights.
“The recent amendments to the Sedition Act, Prevention of Crime Act and the new legislation on the Prevention of Terrorism Act has restricted compliance to universal human rights standards which can be seen as backstepping the earlier shift from restrictive democratic space to an open but accountable political climate which enhances civil and political rights for all sections of Malaysian society,” it said.
The group insisted that an independent and professional impact assessment team be formed to review the findings and delivery over the last 10 years, apart from holding a public dialogue with civil society to address complaints.
They also repeated the call for the formation of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), which was previously vehemently objected to by the police.
The Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysian Police was mooted by former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in what was seen as a positive response to public concerns over reports of human rights violations, abuse of power, corruption and ineffective or unresponsive work practices that have affected the image of the police.
After a study over 15 months, the Police Commission made 125 recommendations dealing with issues ranging from the conduct of police to their welfare and terms of service, as well as on human rights, crime and corruption.
