Set up IPCMC now, says Kit Siang
(The Malaysian Insider) PETALING JAYA, June 21 — Old habits die hard and for seasoned opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, it was business as usual to fire another shot today at the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) faction.
This time he aimed it at Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who spelled out his new plans to inspire public confidence in the flagging police force in a newspaper interview today, marking his first attempts after taking over the home affairs ministry two months ago.
The DAP adviser said he was “disappointed” with Hishammuddin for saying he would relook the recommendations listed four years ago by the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysian Police, formed during the previous administration under Tun Abdullah Badawi.
“What's needed is not a second look but a new royal commission of inquiry to find out why things have got worse in the last five years,” Lim told reporters at a press conference at the DAP headquarters here this afternoon.
He added that more Malaysians say they do not feel safe in the streets or at home, which compounded the tarnished image of the country among foreign investors and tourists.
Sneering at the new home affairs minister's maiden efforts to improve the public image of the police force and its service delivery, Lim said they were repeats of past failed approaches to combat crime.
The federal lawmaker for Ipoh Timur said if Hishammuddin was serious, he should introduce a bill to set up an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
Lim pointed out that IPCMC was among the key steps proposed by the royal commission three years ago, but never realised.
“DAP and Pakatan Rakyat, we are prepared to give full support,” Lim said.
The DAP adviser also asked the government to prove it was committed to cut crime and corruption besides upholding human rights practices by appointing a new Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to replace Tan Sri Musa Hassan, whose term ends in September.
The veteran politician noted Musa's term had been renewed two years ago.
Lim blamed Musa for the government's failure to not only improve the police force and fight crime effectively, but making it worse through unnecessary operations that curtailed the practice of democracy.
