THE government expects the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to be established by year-end now that the police have finally accepted it, said Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Earlier, there were parts they were unclear on, but after meeting with the Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti Corruption (GIACC), their doubts were put to rest,” the home minister said in Putrajaya today, referring to a recent meeting between police associations and GIACC chief Abu Kassim Mohamed.

Muhyiddin said the associations had been concerned about police powers, and appeal and discipline processes with the IPCMC.

“They were concerned that the police would have no scope of authority at all. But the scope of authority has been made clear,” Muhyiddin said without elaborating.

“To be fair, we need more details on the laws and we will let you know later,” he added.

Muhyiddin said the GIACC has been tasked with preparing a cabinet paper on the IPCMC to be tabled at a cabinet meeting before being brought to Parliament.

“This will take a bit of time. But the laws on the IPCMC are being drafted now. We hope that the IPCMC will be ready before the end of the year.” 

Last week, Abu Kassim had met Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador and senior officers and said that concerns raised by them on the IPCMC had been addressed.

In September last year, The Malaysian Insight had reported that the Pakatan Harapan government would replace the “watered down” Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), which was established by the previous Barisan Nasional administration, with the IPCMC.

The IPCMC is a police oversight body proposed by a Royal Commission of Inquiry in 2005 to improve the police force, following a spate of deaths in custody. – May 13, 2019.