‘IPCMC will restore police image, defend cops’ welfare’

PUTRAJAYA: The establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) will not only restore police image in the eyes of the public but also will go towards defending their welfare.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said police officers who had done nothing wrong should not fear IPCMC.

“For officers who did not commit any wrongdoing, I feel that there is nothing to be afraid of,” he said after chairing the eighth Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption here yesterday.

He congratulated National Governance, Integrity and AntiCorruption Centre (GIACC) director-general Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed and Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador for successfully reaching an agreement to form IPCMC.

“I’m grateful that the criticism and concerns by the police over the setting up of IPCMC have been successfully resolved.

“Congratulations to GIACC and the new IGP for discussing and explaining to the representatives of the police associations on the importance of setting up the IPCMC to restore the image of police.”

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir said there was no truth in political appointees interfering in the duties of civil servants.

“There is no interference. Sometimes, there is just some misunderstanding.

“So when they (political appointees) give advice, it can be seen as disturbing, but they only want to give advice.”

He was commenting on Cuepacs president Datuk Azih Muda’s remarks that the congress was still receiving complaints of interference, a year after Pakatan Harapan had taken over the federal administration.

“The government makes the policy, but it is the civil service that executes the policy.

He said if this (interference) happened, then it would take longer for the new government to achieve its goals and when that happened then the civil servants would not be blamed.