Both the Government and Opposition should push for a police force reform.

Following the revelation by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador that there exist a corrupt group of top police officers known as the ‘police cartel’ out to topple him, ADUN for Tanah Rata, Chiong Yoke Kong has urged for a bipartisan support towards the IGP to reform the police force.

In a statement released yesterday, Chiong, who is also DAPSY Deputy Chief said that this ‘police cartel’ conundrum must be taken seriously and dealt with urgently. This is because it involves matters related to the below:

• Appointments and transfers of the country’s largest law enforcement agency.
• Internal power struggles within PDRM
• The severity of corruption which seriously undermines the public’s trust in the police force.

According to the Tanah Rata assemblyman, all quarters must not adopt an ‘ostrich policy’ for selfish political interests but instead unite to support the IGP’s effort to fight corruption. He asserted,

“Given that the IGP kept exposing the corrupt practices in the police force, he must be facing a whirlwind of criticisms and pressure within the police force itself.“

“Hence, politicians, both in the ruling and opposition parties, should stand side by side with the IGP and support his calls.”

Chiong’s statement is consistent with the voices of other DAP lawmakers who urged for the matter to be taken seriously. Previously, MP for Puchong, Gobind Singh Deo has urged Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief, Dato Seri Azaam Baki to break his silence and publicly state what MACC will be doing to deal with the matter.

Meanwhile, MP for Bukit Mertajam, Steven Sim pushed for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government to relaunch reform agendas that were introduced under Pakatan Harapan (PH) to restore professionalism to government institution and fight corruption. Steven also called for the setting up of a Royal Commission to independently investigate the matter.

Chiong agrees with Steven Sim and laid out 3 initiatives that must be taken in order to assist Tan Sri Hamid Bador in reforming the police force. These initiatives include setting up a Royal Commission, pushing forward reforms in Parliament and to establish an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

1. Setting up a Royal Commission of Inquiry

Based on the claims made by the IGP, the Royal Commission can begin to investigate and reveal all corrupt practised in the police force once and for all.

According to Chiong, such initiative provides an avenue for public opinion to become a substantive part of the checks and balances that ensures that the police force will stride towards professionalism and transparency.

2. Push forward police reforms in Parliament

Chiong stressed that reforming the police force is highly imperative. Among the most important reforms include making it mandatory for the police force to report to the Parliament about police affairs and enforcements on a regular basis.

In other words, the police force will be responsible to Parliament instead of being controlled by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Home Affairs. This will make sure that the police force functions as an independent entity based on democratic governance. 

3. Establishing an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC)

IPCMC, as an independent body, will have the credibility to conduct investigations of police officer misconduct complaints.

However, the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) bill tabled by the PN government will only form a weakened and powerless commission as it does not have enough authority to investigate police misconduct. Thus, the proposed IPCC is far short of the people’s expectations of an independent body that monitors and scrutinizes the police force.

Chiong iterated that all the steps above are necessary in order to curb corrupt practises and reform the police force. With the above implemented, people’s trust will be regained by the police force once more. – The Rocket.