Any IGP misconduct to be probed by IPCMC before transfer to KSN

KUALA LUMPUR: Any misconduct by the Inspector-General of Police will still be investigated by the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) before being referred to the Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN), says Datuk Liew Vui Keong.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said issues pertaining to policemen with the rank of Deputy IGP and below would be dealt fully by the IPCMC.

“If there is a need for action to be taken, it would then be referred to the KSN.

“This is the present law because we need someone higher than the IGP, in terms of ranking, to look into the recommendations given if the IGP has been found to have misconducted himself,” he said when met after a closed door meeting on the IPCMC at the Royal Malaysian Police College in Cheras yesterday.

According to previous reports, the IPCMC Bill states that a special disciplinary board would be set up by the KSN to address complaints against the IGP.

Addressing concerns that the IPCMC would take power away from the IGP, Liew said the jurisdiction of the IGP would not be affected.

“That is still subject to the Inspector-General of Police Standing Orders,” he said.

As of now, Liew said there have been eight amendments to the Bill.

While not going into details, he said among the amendments was the addition of an appeal process.

“I have looked into the proposals and given a briefing of the concerns.

“There will also be an additional clause in regards to the right of appeal against those that are given punishment,” he said, adding that one of the biggest issues raised regarding the creation of the IPCMC was the naming of the commission.

“Some were uneasy with having the word ‘Salah Laku’ (wrongdoing) in the commission’s name, and I feel that this has some merit.

“So I will see how we can change that term to something more positive in order to bring about a better image to the police,” he said.

Regarding the role of the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS), Liew said the responsibilities of the department and commission would not overlap.

“JIPS will deal with disciplinary action not under the purview of the IPCMC such as tardiness and other matters that can be handled by the police internally.

“The IPCMC will deal with more serious issues such as death in custody, matters that involve dishonesty that require investigations and such.

“But if the matters are criminal in nature, it will be referred to the police for further action. Both will compliment each other,” he said.

As of now, Liew said no names have been shortlisted for the IPCMC.

“We have suggested that members appointed should be those who are ‘fit and proper’ and with experience in law and administration,” he said.

The IPCMC is an oversight body, proposed by the Royal Commission of Inquiry in 2005, to improve the police force following a spate of deaths in custody.

The proposed IPCMC will work closely with the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission to weed out corruption and abuse of power in the police force.