Royal Commission to review police force
(PM's announcement)
By SA’ODAH ELIAS - December 30 2003 ( http://www.thestar.com.my )
PUTRAJAYA: The Government is to set up a Royal Commission to review the police force in totality.
Announcing the move, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said this reflected the Government’s full commitment towards rehabilitating the image of the force and restoring public confidence in it.
He said the review would involve police procedures to reflect present needs and fulfil public expectations.
“This is not lip service, and I am not doing this for my popularity.
“This move is necessary and will be done in totality because the people’s expectation of the police has changed and the crimes are getting more complicated,” he told reporters after opening a senior police officers convention at the Putrajaya Convention Centre yesterday.
“We don’t want to make improvements on an ad hoc basis, amending the laws a little here and there,” he said.
The Royal Commission to be set up, he said, must not be confused with the existing Police Commission that dealt with, among other things, promotions and disciplinary cases.
He said the members of the proposed commission and its term of reference would be announced after they had been presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for consent.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi talking with Home Ministry Secretary General Datuk Seri Aseh Che Mat (left) and Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Omar before the official opening of the confrence of police commissioners, chiefs and commandants at the Putrajaya Convention Centre.
Opening the convention earlier, Abdullah, who is also Home Minister, said the police were facing a serious image crisis owing to negative public perception, allegations of police brutality, perceived corruption among police personnel and their failure in respecting human rights.
As such, he said, the the commission was necessary to review the whole procedure of the police force and make recommendations on how to make it more dynamic, befitting a police force of the 21st century.
“As a force that deals directly with the public, the police must be well-versed in human rights when discharging their duties and dealing with members of the society.
“Issues like police brutality, lackadaisical attitude, poor service, corruption and other negative traits must be eradicated,” he said.
The studies to be undertaken by the commission, Abdullah said, would include modernising operational and work aspects of the force, taking into account new policing techniques and human rights issues, including women’s rights.
It would also cover the role and responsibilities of the force in the current context, conditions and terms of service, human resource development, perks and benefits, work ethics and standard operating procedures.
A Royal Commission is one that is set up by the Government and it is made up of eminent persons. It is given the responsibility of looking at a specific issue of public interest.
It will come out with a White Paper containing recommendations to the Government.
The reason why a Royal Commission is significant is that it requires royal assent and it reports directly to Parliament and thus is more transparent.
Malaysia's last Royal Commission, held in 1999, looked into the assault on former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while in police custody in 1998.
Heralding a new era for police
Comment by WONG SULONG December 31st 2003 (http://www.thestar.com.my )
( PM's announcement ABOVE )
THE announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of a Royal Commission to look into the police force is an initiative that should be welcomed by everyone – including the police.
I understand this is something that Pak Lah has been thinking about for a long time.
But let’s be clear from the start what the Royal Commission is all about.
First, it’s not about police bashing or a witch hunt in the force. But yes, issues of abuse of power, corruption and police brutality will be brought up and examined clinically and objectively.
The purpose of the Royal Commission is to usher in a new era for the Royal Malaysian Police; one that will see the police as an effective force for the 21st century.
In doing so, the Commission will be examining the whole gamut of issues facing the force; from public perception and expectation of the police, issues of public and personal safety, police handling of reports of victims of crime as well as human rights. It will also look at what many may perceive as mundane issues, but critical to the morale of police personnel, such as pay, allowances, working and living conditions and staffing levels.
In short, the terms of reference for the Commission will enable it to adopt a holistic approach. The hope is: the Commission will come up with recommendations that when implemented will raise the morale and image of the police, and lay the groundwork for the force to be effective and relevant to today’s needs.
Our country has progressed far – politically, socially and economically. The needs and expectations of Malaysians now are very different from those of their fathers or grandfathers.
As Malaysians become increasingly urbanised, living in terrace houses, flats and condominiums in densely populated cities, the issue of personal safety and property becomes a priority.
There is really no point of living in a nice bungalow or a luxurious condo, and drive a Mercedes or Lexus, if one is constantly fearful of one’s personal safety or that of family members and relatives.
Not a few businessmen send their children overseas, or employ bodyguards for their children for fear of kidnapping.
And as Malaysia integrates with the community of nations, it must necessarily accept and practise what are internationally best practices, not only in economic and corporate governance, but also in areas such as human rights and transparency.
The police force is in the front line in many of these issues.
The Royal Malaysian Police has served the country well, and for that Malaysians are grateful.
But of late, its image has been dented somewhat; the saddest episode being the assault on the former deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while in police custody in 1998.
It’s the nature of police work. A lot of good can be nullified by isolated incidents of abuse of power, insensitivity, corruption and police brutality.
I like to comment on corruption in the police force.
But before proceeding, let me stress that this is only one aspect that the Royal Commission will be looking at. I am sure the Prime Minister would also want to stress that he is committed to eradicating corruption in all walks of life, not just in the police force.
There can be many levels of corruption in the police force, as there are in other government departments and private corporations. Some are direct and open, some subtle.
But for a start, the Royal Commission (and the government) should focus on eradicating what I call “needs corruption”; meaning the ordinary mata-mata or sergeant who takes a bribe to supplement his income.
To tackle “needs corruption” the government must design a salary/allowance/welfare scheme to ensure that the ordinary mata-mata or sergeant cannot rationalise to himself that he needs to take a bribe because he and his family cannot survive on what he is being paid.
The Hong Kong experience comes to mind. The former British colony used to have a very corrupt police force.
But the authorities had the political will to confront the issue head on. Initially, it was tough. The police were in virtual revolt. But after a while they saw the light for their salvation.
Today, the ordinary police constable in Hong Kong is proud of his work and his uniform. He is being paid quite well – well enough not to resort to taking bribes – and he is respected by society.
The Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is a powerful agency with a lot of bite.
There is a lot the Royal Commission can do and recommend to give our police force a new image.
Ultimately, the government must have the political will to see it through, and the police itself must embrace the necessary reforms for khidmat untuk negara.
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