Barisan Nasional leaders should stop feeling threatened and defensive over the renewed call to set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said today.
He said Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, should instead welcome the setting up of the commission as, over time, it will help strengthen the integrity of the police force and enhance its image.
“The police force is funded by taxpayers’ money and must be answerable to the people,” he said in a statement today, adding the home minister must stop giving flimsy excuses such as the IPCMC will be unconstitutional or that it will favour criminals over the police.
The Gombak MP said these excuses were simply red herrings to hide the fact that the government was not sincere in making good their electoral promises of a more transparent leadership.
This, he added, was another clear case of the hypocrisy of the transformation agenda.
“Zahid’s claim that the IPCMC is against the concept of justice is completely unfounded. On the contrary, it is because of justice that such a commission must be set up.
“The principle of natural justice dictates that no one should be a judge in his own cause. Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done,” said Azmin.
He said if the police are to investigate themselves over allegations of custodial deaths, police brutality and other forms of abuse, the public will not be able to see justice being done.
“On the other hand, an independent body will give the appearance of impartiality and inspire greater confidence in the system of accountability,” he added.
Azmin stressed that the government must stop giving the impression that there is a witch hunt against the police.
"In this regard, Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi’s suggestion that the IPCMC would subject police to treatment worse than criminals is baseless, ” he said. – July 12, 2013.
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