Police to set up internal probe team to check cops

The New Straits Times
by ELVINA FERNANDEZ, PUNITHA KUMAR AND ILI LIYANA MOKHTAR 

CABINET APPROVAL: Members not cops but professionals including lawyers, says home minister

KUALA LUMPUR: THE government will form an internal investigative body in the police force to monitor the conduct of  police personnel, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

"We will have internal measures, and the cabinet has decided that an internal investigative body be set up within the force.

"Its members will not be from the force, but professionals, including lawyers.

"However, it won't be manifested in the form of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). I do not think that IPCMC is the answer," he said in response to a suggestion by Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) for the police to take proactive measures, including the setting up of the proposed IPCMC.

To an earlier question from Lim, Zahid said the country's crime rate had been reduced following the implementation of Op Cantas Khas, although many quarters had claimed otherwise.

Zahid said that as of Sept 18, 212,259 people had been picked up for further investigations.

"Of the total, 8,898 were arrested under the Crime Prevention Act. The crime index has been reduced, especially for violent crime, which was reduced by almost 42 per cent -- from 69 cases to 40 during the month-long operation," he said, adding that 289 firearms and dangerous weapons were seized.

He said of those caught, 3,842 were Malays (including 197 females), 2,485 Indians (36 females), 1,088 Chinese (67 females) and 1,483 from other races (250 females).

He also denied that Op Cantas Khas, which was implemented and carried out to catch secret society and gang members, would be halted on Oct 19.

"The operation would be continued to ensure safety and until people's fear of crime has been allayed."

Zahid added that so far, 214 investigation papers were opened under the Societies Act 1996 and the individuals would be charged in court once investigations were completed.

The Home Ministry had earlier gazetted 49 triads as illegal organisations under Section 5 (1) of the Societies Act 1966. Upon gazetting, the use of gang names by anyone is prohibited.

All accounts, assets and properties belonging to these groups and their members would be surrendered to the Insolvency Department if the members are convicted in court. Those found to be involved in such activities will be investigated and charged under Act 335 and Sections 6 (2), 6 (3), 42 and 48 of the act.

They can also be charged under Section 142 of the Penal Code for illegal gathering.

On a question by Lim on how many of those arrested had been charged in court, Zahid said they would be investigated as quickly as possible so that they could be charged.