IGP: Police have no executive powers under PCA

The police have no executive powers under the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) which was approved by Dewan Rakyat recently, said inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.

He said the PCA was different from the Internal Security Act (ISA) described by some parties as draconian.

“The significant difference is from the aspect of powers... actually the ISA vested absolute power on the executive while in the PCA, the full powers are  with the judiciary and review board.

“From the initial capture, first 24-hour arrest is by police, followed by 21 days remand ordered by a magistrate and the next 38-day remand approved by the president of the Sessions Courts and thereafter the board, and if there are unsatisfactory matters, they can be brought to court,” he said after a cheque presentation by the Kota Baru Residents Association (POKB) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

At the ceremony in Bukit Aman, Khalid received a cheque for RM10,500 from POKB adviser Mohamad Fatmi Che Salleh to be handed over to Atiqah Mohd Rosdi, the widow of Sgt Zal Azri Abd Somad who was killed while on duty in Malacca on Sept 23.

Khalid stressed that the most important thing was that the PCA is targetted at organised crimes.

He said information sessions with the people or with related parties would give a clear picture on both acts.

The Prevention of Crime 2013 Bill which allows detention without trial was passed by the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in a blog was reported to have lleged that PCA was draconian and went against the constitution.

Asked on the police’s preparations for the Sungai Limau by-election,  halid said an assessment team had been sent to check and evaluate the areas there.

The Sungai Limau seat under the Jerai Parliamentary constituency fell vacant ollowing the death of its incumbent, former menteri besar Azizan Abdul Razak, on Sept 26.

- Bernama