IPCMC should inquire into the causes of the hundreds of cases of deaths in custody in the twelve years between 2006 and 2018, starting with the most recent cases

The announcement that the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) would be set up is a victory for all Malaysians and NGOs which had consistently demanded that the Police must transform itself into a friend and ally of the people to keep crime low, by ensuring that the Police conduct itself with full accountability, particularly where there are suspicions that instead of being upholder of law and order, the police had broken the law.

In fact, the setting up of an IPCMC had been one of the most important recommendations of the Police Royal Commission which was set up in the early years of the Abdullah Badawi premiership.

Unfortunately, the Police Royal Commission’s IPCMC proposal in 2006 was not implemented because of strong objections from the Police leadership at the time, which acted in a very short-sighted manner in their objection and obstruction to the implementation of the IPCMC.

This led to a worsening crisis of confidence in the independence, impartiality and professionalism of the police force.

The Police Royal Commission had recommended that the IPCMC should inquire into every case of death in custody.

In the last 12 years since 2006 till now, there had been hundreds of cases of deaths in custody, especially within police and immigration jurisdiction!

In the circumstances, deaths in custody should be high on the priority of the IPC when it is established.

In fact, IPCMC should inquire into the causes of the hundreds of cases of deaths in custody in the twelve years between 2006 and 2018, starting with the most recent cases!