THE Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) is finally about to be set up after a long 13 years wait following objections from the police force.

The Pakatan Harapan government today said the IPCMC will replace the “watered down” Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), which was established by the previous Barisan Nasional administration as a compromise.

“The EAIC will be made into the IPCMC,” said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad after chairing the fourth special cabinet meeting on anti-corruption with the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) in Putrajaya today.

The IPCMC will be an independent body to look into police complaints more holistically, said Dr Mahathir.

In 2004, a Royal Commission of Inquiry was convened by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to look into criticisms against the police over increasing incidents of crime and custodial deaths.

The RCI’s mandate was to study and recommend measures to improve police efficiency and to make the body more respected and formidable as an enforcement body.

In November 2005, the RCI made 125 recommendations and suggested the establishment of the IPCMC to investigate police malfeasance and take disciplinary measures.

Meanwhile, the Public Complaints Bureau will be turned into Ombudsman Malaysia, the overseers of which will be picked from people with high integrity.

“The government will look into passing the Ombudsman Act later,” said Dr Mahathir.

Other changes to combat corruption in Malaysia include placing the National Institute of Integrity and related integrity agencies under the GIACC.

The government will also revamp government officer promotion procedures.

“A new mechanism will be introduced to ensure provisions have integrity. We will set up a Public Service Act,” said Dr Mahathir.

He said heads of missions such as ambassadors will only comprise career civil servants.

“There will be no more political appointees to such positions.”

The government will recall all current ambassadors who are political appointees, said the prime minister.

Law Minister Liew Vui Keong and Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali will be tasked with holding discussions with the opposition parties to get their support for new laws that require several constitutional amendments. – September 21, 2018.