KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 – There are just too many weaknesses in the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) Bill 2020, said Pakatan Harapan, which has taken the stand not to support the Bill which was passed in Parliament today.
In a statement issued following a meeting of the PH Presidential Council at the Parliament today, the PH leaders said that the IPCC Bill did not meet the desired institution reform, and was weaker than the existing Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) and the previously proposed IPCMC bill.
On the other hand, the PH leaders, namely Keadilan President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah President Hj Mohamad Sabu, Democratic Action Party Secretary General Loke Siew Fook and President of United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation Datuk Seri Madius Tangau said they will fully support the Constitutional Bill (Amendment) (No. 3) 2022 to the anti-hopping law to be debated in Parliament on Wednesday, July 27 and July 28.
Listing the weaknesses of the IPCC bill, PH said the members of the Commission can be dismissed at any time, without cause, and while the EAIC currently can appoint its own Secretary, under the new bill the Home Minister gets to appoint the Secretary of the Commission.
The IPCC will also not have the investigative powers held by the EAIC currently and does not allow the Commission to investigate matters under the Standing Order of Police Chief (IGSO) and has no provision for a regulatory body.
–WE