A REPLACEMENT for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill 2019 will be tabled next Wednesday, said Takiyuddin Hassan.

The de facto law minister said the IPCMC Bill, which had been scheduled for debate in Parliament on the same day, has been withdrawn due to objection from various parties.

“The IPCMC Bill is withdrawn. It will be replaced with a new bill that has the same meaning (relating to police misconduct), but modified and given a different name.

“The decision to withdraw the bill was made by the government. Some of the bill’s contents are not acceptable to police, so the government and Home Ministry decided to introduce a new one,” he told the press after handing over a letter of appointment to the new chairman of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) in Putrajaya today.

He said Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin is expected to table the new bill for its first reading next Wednesday, with the second reading to take place the following day.

Takiyuddin said a cabinet meeting agreed on the new bill, and stressed that EAIC will be maintained.

The IPCMC Bill was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on July 18 last year with the aim of replacing EAIC and enhancing the integrity and capabilities of the police force.

The proposed commission would act as an independent monitoring body, receive complaints and conduct investigations into police misconduct.

Takiyuddin, in his speech earlier, said EAIC does not focus only on such probes, but also monitors the standard operating procedures of enforcement agencies.

It conducts checks on detention depots and police lock-ups, he said.

“EAIC then recommends to the government the steps to take to enhance these agencies’ quality of service.

“The establishment of EAIC in 2011 wasn’t aimed at finding fault among officers or enforcement agencies. Rather, it helps agencies boost workforce integrity, which aids the government’s efforts to improve the service delivery system.”

He urged the public to lodge complaints via the proper channels.

“I’ve noticed that many tend to spread allegations of misconduct or indiscipline through WhatsApp, Telegram, blogs and other social media platforms. These allow news to travel very quickly… We need to be aware that there may be implications, including for those making the complaints.”

At today’s event, former chief secretary to the government Mohd Sidek Hassan received his letter of appointment as EAIC chairman for a period of three years effective July 1.

Former Federal Court judge Zainun Ali, meanwhile, has been appointed deputy chairman.

The commission also comprises Kuala Lumpur High Court judge John Louis O’hara and International Islamic University Malaysia legal adviser Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod. – Bernama, August 19, 2020.