Rights group Amnesty International Malaysia has urged the new government to halt any reviews of the previous Pakatan Harapan's administration plans to introduce the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

Its interim executive director Preethi Bhardwaj said the government should show strong leadership and proceed with the reform plans, despite resistance from the police force.

"An effective IPCMC will not only prevent police misconduct, but will also contribute to improving law enforcement on a wider scale, strengthening the legitimacy of the police agency in the country," said Preethi in response to de facto Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Takiyuddin Hassan.

Takiyuddin yesterday reportedly said that he would be reviewing the IPCMC Bill together with the home minister, and their views will be shared with the Security Cluster led by the defence minister, before it is discussed in cabinet.

Following the tabling of the IPCMC Bill in Parliament on July 18, 2019, the bill made history by being the first one to be referred to the Select Committee for the Consideration of Bills.

Since then, the select committee has listened to the views of experts, representatives of the police force, representatives of the United Kingdom’s Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), as well as various non-governmental organisations.

The IPCMC Bill was supposed to be tabled for second and third reading last December but then de facto law minister VK Liew said it would be postponed to the first sitting this year, initially scheduled for this month, but has since been postponed to May.

Source : Malaysiakini