Implement the long overdue IPCMC now

The Royal Malaysian Police have for far too long been given a free and easy ride in the manner in which they carry out their duties. In the 21st century it is time that their standard operating procedures of detention and interrogation techniques are made transparent.

For far too long we have been a subservient public accepting excuse and reasons for custodial deaths in our Malaysian police lock-ups.

In an age where information is readily available and the speed of information has accelerated, the police can hardly be expected to continue to hide behind raw authority whenever something goes wrong.

Whoever the suspect is, he is merely a suspect and not a convict yet, and even then a convict too is a human being who must be accorded his due natural justice.

This is but a minimum requirement of a civilised nation.

The way we see it, the police who use illegal and immoral methods of interrogation are individuals who have gotten lazy, for the real work of an investigator requires diligence and hard work.

It requires one to look for clues, follow a lead and avail the use of forensics and technology before making an arrest. Only through arming oneself with the required evidence can one get a successful prosecution.

This must explain why many of the high profile police cases that go to court are thrown out.

Can one then blame the public which is sceptical of the quality of some members of the police force today?

Is this is symptomatic of deteriorating standards in a number of our government agencies?

This brings to mind the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) that seems to frighten and threaten the Royal Malaysian Police Force to the extent that they said they would vote for the opposition in the last general election.

With the latest incident of custodial death taking place in a police station in Subang Jaya, the police should have little choice in accepting in full the recommendations to set up the IPCMC.

It is our hope that this is done by the government with or without the consent and cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Police.

 

Stephen Doss

President

Persatuan Pemuda Negara Malaysia