KUALA LUMPUR, Wed: Some 30 members of the Malaysian Bar 'marched' all the way from the High Courts at Jalan Raja to the Royal Malaysian Police Headquarters at Bukit Aman Kuala Lumpur to show support for our representatives who were meeting the Inspector General of Police ("IGP") this morning.
We were however stopped by the police sentries at the entrance of the police headquarters and were denied entry. We continued to remain outside the entrance, waiting resolutely for the conclusion of the meeting.
The said meeting was called to address among others, the Bar’s concern in respect of alleged police misconduct against lawyers S. Balasubramaniam and V. Raja Singam who were assaulted and detained by the police.
The Bar was in the meeting led by its President, Yeo Yang Poh. Others who were present were Ragunath Kesavan (Secretary), Vazeer Alam (Treasurer), Lim Chee Wee (Council member) and Rajen Devaraj (Executive Officer for the Committee for the Promotion of Best Practices by the Detaining Authorities).
We waited at the entrance till about 11.30am. When questioned on the outcome of the meeting, the President replied that there was now a better understanding on both parties as to each other's positions on various matters, particularly as follows:
• The Inspector General said that investigations of police misconduct against S. Balasubramaniam had been completed and the result of the police findings had been sent to the Attorney General for further action. He could not disclose the findings of the investigation as the Attorney General is now looking into the matter.
• As for V. Raja Singam's case, the police had completed their investigations which had been sent to the Attorney General. No statement was given by V. Raja Singam as he was proceeding to file a civil suit.
• There was an agreement to draw up a protocol document to regulate the relationship between lawyers and the police with regards to situations when lawyers wish to see their clients in remand.
• The IGP initiated a new 'mechanism' to prevent a further recurrence of similar problems, and to expedite matters involving lawyer–police affairs. This new 'mechanism' is the appointment of a senior police liaison officer to work exclusively with the Bar in an effort to foster a better relationship and understanding between both parties.
• The Bar and the IGP agreed to disagree on the establishment of the IPCMC and both views were presented. The IGP spoke about the effect of lowering the morale of the force and the problem of insufficient remuneration such as non–payment of overtime. He also said there was a need to revise the salary structure of the force and further to re–vamp the Public Service Department. The Bar's position is that the public's expectations is to have an independent body to provide a check and balance mechanism for police abuses and corruption, and these expectations should be met to create better trust in the force and improve the same.
• There will be further follow–up meetings between the Bar and the IGP to maintain the culture of dialogue and improve relations.
On the whole, the impression we received was that the meeting was fruitful in bridging the gap between the Bar and the police force, but there is still a long way to go in implementing better practices and good governance of the force in this country. We then adjourned for lunch in the hope that our efforts and the meeting is one in other initiatives to bring about a better Malaysia.
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50 lawyers turn up for meeting with IGP
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