DELAYS in the tabling of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) are unacceptable, said prominent human rights lawyer S. Ambiga who questioned whether there was opposition to it from within the Pakatan Harapan administration.

“I don’t buy (the government’s explanation) that more time is needed because enough work has been done on it. So enough with the excuses,” said Ambiga.

“I heard there are MPs in PH itself who are objecting to the IPCMC and this has caused the delays. I’d like to know what is the objection? I’d like to know.

“The delays are unacceptable. They have had enough time (to pass the bill),” said the former Bar Council president on the sidelines of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) 2019 Human Rights Day event in Kuala Lumpur today.

The government has again deferred passing the new act to form the long-delayed IPCMC to the next parliamentary sitting next March.

The IPCMC had been tabled in the July session this year for first reading and its debate postponed until October.

But the government delayed voting on the bill in the second reading in October and referred it to a parliamentary select committee.

The proposal for the IPCMC had come about after a 2005 royal commission of inquiry to improve the operations and welfare of the police force. 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s department Liew Vui Keong, who is in charge of the law, had said the delay to the IPCMC this time was because the government had wanted to include recommendations from the select committee.  

Liew told reporters that the government will continue tabling the IPCMC in March after incorporating the new recommendations. 

In response, Ambiga said she hoped this reason was not a delaying tactic.  

“They’ve been giving enough excuses already. I see it as a delaying measure.

“So make sure it happens in March. They’ve been adjourning amendments like the repeal of the death penalty.  

“It’s been adjourned and adjourned. We are nearly two years into the PH government. And the repeal of the Sedition Act is nowhere to be seen. The IPCMC is one of the many frustrations,” she added. – December 10, 2019.