Malaysia: Govt To Give More Time For Controversial Bill

Since there are conflicts between the power of Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) and Police Discipline Commission, therefore Special Complaints Commission (SCC) is proposed by government, said Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow.

Government considered to broaden the scope of complain for people, therefore SCC is the best choice, Fu replied the question of Senator Syed Ali Syed Abbas at Dewan Negara here, Tuesday (18 Dec).

"Besides police force and police officers, people can complain the Road Transport Department, Royal Custom Department and government officials," he said.

Fu Ah Kiow said police used the Internal Security Act (ISA) to arrest people to ease the tension in society.

Five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) were detained under Section 8 (1) of the Internal Security Act on 13 December.

The proposed Special Complaints Commission Bill (SCC) 2007, scheduled to be debated at the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday, was deferred to next year to give MPs and NGOs more time to study it.

Cabinet, which met this morning, was unanimous in its decision and gave a directive to defer the bill, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abd Aziz.

"We allow the postponement for more time to study the bill. The government is listening. No point rushing through the bill,'' he said.

The decision was conveyed to Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, who was at a press conference with NGO (non-governmental organisation) representatives requesting a withdrawal of the SCC bill. (Sin Chew Daily)