PUTRAJAYA suggests establishing an impartial and independent oversight body to investigate complaints of misconduct in all enforcement agencies, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today. 

He said the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) bill proposed earlier only focuses on the police, and he has asked the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to review the proposal for an independent body that can investigate all enforcement agencies, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). 

“If there are special charges (levelled) against the MACC, (or) immigration, customs and police officers, then there is an independent body in the form of either a commission or… I am not sure yet.

“But there has already been instruction to the AGC to submit a proposal so these enforcement bodies do not investigate on their own. There (should be) another, independent body that will investigate,” the Tambun MP said during the question-and-answer session. 

Anwar was responding to an additional question from Gobind Singh Deo (Damansara-PH), who asked about measures taken to address allegations against high-ranking officers, especially in the MACC.

Gobind also asked if such investigations would be carried out by an independent body, and if parliament would have the power to question or call for further investigation upon completion of the initial probe.

Anwar said there should not be any issues with the proposal as there are initial documents for the same end. 

Last year, Home Minister Saifuddin Naution Ismail said the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) will be enforced in June this year. 

The IPCC, tabled by Saifuddin’s predecessor Hamzah Zainudin, replaced the controversial IPCMC proposed by the Pakatan Harapan government.

But Anwar said it would be better if all enforcement agencies are monitored and investigated, instead of just the police. – March 28, 2023.