THE opposition today said it does not agree with the government’s proposal to set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

Opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob said constitutional experts view the investigative body as against the federal constitution.

“The view of constitutional experts, that IPCMC contravenes the federal constitution, is ignored.

“When the select committee met stakeholders, the experts were called to give their views, and even they disagreed because (IPCMC) would go against Articles 135 and 140 of the constitution,” he said at a joint press conference with PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, as well as other lawmakers, in the Parliament building.

The opposition bloc comprises Barisan Nasional, PAS and Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera MP, said if the government votes through the IPCMC Bill 2019, it shows that the Pakatan Harapan administration does not take stakeholders’ concerns into account.

“Stakeholders and law experts disagree (with IPCMC), but the government wants to bring it to Parliament.

“Even if they win by a simple majority, it would show that the government doesn’t care about stakeholders.”

He said Putrajaya should first ensure police’s well-being is taken care of.

“The welfare of police must be prioritised.

“Some 150,000 members of the force work hard and make sacrifices for the people and country. They should be supported instead of having oppressive laws against them.”

The IPCMC bill was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for the first time on July 18.

Yesterday, de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong said an enhanced bill is expected to be tabled next week.

IPCMC would replace the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission, acting as an independent body to look into complaints on police and investigate alleged misconduct by members of the force. – November 28, 2019.