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KUALA LUMPUR (June 29, 2009): " Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR-Permatang Pauh) claimed the government had rejected the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) as it wants to protect the image of the police.

The opposition leader said should the government have the political will, the IPCMC would be good enough to improve the police force so that it can play its role effectively especially in curbing crimes.

“The government is responsible for upholding the people’s sanctity of life and property. Our country is relatively peaceful but we cannot accept the increasing crime rates as well as poor police performance.

“The government has given in to the protest by police for the IPCMC to be set up just because it can affect its image. The royal commission (Royal Police Commission of Inquiry) report was clear evidence that our country is in dire condition due to police negligence,” he said.

Debating the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) Act in the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar said efforts should be taken to enhance the effectiveness of the existing enforcement agencies instead of having new laws.

He added that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) could also play its role accordingly.

Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) intervened to say he was also disappointed with the EAIC but, although it is not as comprehensive as IPCMC, it has investigative power.

“It is not proper to say the EAIC is superfluous just because we have MACC.

No one in BN has ever brought up the racial issue. We were only worried about the rejection by the police because they may not accept IPCMC and this may affect their morale in carrying out their duties,” he said.

Khairy said the EAIC is an alternative to IPCMC to safeguard against the abuse of power by the police and other enforcement agencies.

“Let’s hope Permatang Pauh (Anwar) will not be too suspicious. This is a small but important step,” he said.

Anwar  agreed that it was a small step, but said that after 51 years of independence, it should be a big step and there must be a really effective commission.

“People had high hopes on the IPCMC. And the public perception now is, the police stoop to the executive power and political leaders,” he added.

The EAIC Act calls for a commission authorised to investigate and decide on complaints against 21 federal enforcement agencies including Immigration, Rela, Customs, Road Transport, National Anti-Drug Agency, National Registration, Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board as well as the enforcement divisions or units under the ministries of Health, Tourism, Housing and Local Government.

It is wider compared with only four agencies under the Special Complaints Commission, proposed based on recommendations from the royal police commission but was scrapped after reservations from some quarters.

Anwar said while he disapproved illegal immigrants, he also condemned the legal agencies which had been suppressing the poor foreign workers.

“Our system allows for a legal modern slavery. We can send them (illegal immigrants) back, but it should not be by means of torturing them.

“When I was in the Sungai Buloh prison, for example, foreign workers claimed their things were confiscated by the enforcement authorities and they were left only with what they had on. This calls for an investigation by the government,” he added.