KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar has praised the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) new leadership for supporting the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

Its president Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor said the statement made by Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador that the public would get the best service from the setting up of IPCMC, is significant, positive and encouraging.

“It is our fervent hope that the new leadership will herald a new dawn of police accountability, and of public confidence in the PDRM,” he added.

Fareed said the establishment of the IPCMC was constitutional, and does not violate section 4 of the Police Act 1967.Article 140(1) of the Federal Constitution, which states that Parliament may enact legislation to provide for the exercise of disciplinary control over all or any of the members of the police force, in such manner and by such authority as may be provided in that legislation.

“It is only the investigative and disciplinary functions currently under the Police Force Commission that would be taken over by the IPCMC, in order to have external oversight.

“If the IPCMC receives a complaint about an alleged misconduct, and upon investigation discovers that adequate disciplinary action has been taken by the PDRM, the IPCMC will not take any further action.The IPCMC would act only if the PDRM has taken no action, or inadequate action, on the complaint,” he said.

'The PDRM can rest assured that all upright and law-abiding police personnel who have committed no offence have nothing to fear from the IPCMC."