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Media Statement (2)         
by Lim Kit Siang  
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(Petaling Jaya, Sunday): Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Nazri Aziz should not try to shut up members of the Royal Police Commission by arm-twisting them into silence and obedience about their unhappiness that their key proposal for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMCP) has completely changed character in the Special Complaints Commission (SCC) Bill.

New Straits Times on Friday reported the great disappointment of three members of the Royal Police Commission at the SCC Bill as “as something entirely different from what we recommended”.

The three members are firstly the Royal Police Commission Chairman, Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah and members Tunku Aziz and Lee Lam Thye.

Dzaiddin said he was “very disappointed” as the SSB was not what the Royal Police Commission had asked for, adding: “The government, in its wisdom, did not accept the core recommendation of an independent oversight body.”

Tunku Aziz said: “The whole purpose was to ensure that not only were the police protected against unfair criticism and allegations but also that there would be a return of public confidence in an organization that had lost it. If the new bill is watered down, obviously we are not going to achieve this purpose.”

Lee Lam Thye said: “The IPCMC was meant to be an independent body to deal with police misconduct, abuse of power and corruption. I did not expect it to be watered down. At this point, it would be best to leave it to parliament, with the hope that proper debate and discussion will be carried out. MPs need to be aware of the original objective. My fear is that the new bill may not serve its purpose.”

Nazri hit the top with these comments, responding pointedly by telling Sin Chew Daily that Dzaiddin and Lam Thye would not be considered for appointment as Commissioners of the SCC since they disagree with its establishment. Nazri said the country has ample talents from whom to select the SCC commissioners.

This is in poor taste. Nazri’s reaction is uncalled-for, making him look very petty and vindictive in resorting to arm-twisting the Royal Police Commissioners to shut them up from airing their true feelings about the SCC Bill which is meant to implement their IPCMC proposal.

I urge Royal Police Commissioners not to be cowed or frightened by Nazri from giving their responses and to attend the Emergency Public Consultation on the SCC Bill at the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall auditorium tomorrow, Monday, 17th December at 7.30 pm on the stand MPs should take when the Bill comes up for debate in Parliament on Tuesday or Wednesday.

So far Tunku Aziz, Royal Police Commission member and former President of Transparency International Malaysia, Datuk Param Cumaraswamy, former United Nations Special Rapporteur for Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Malek Imtiaz, President of Hakam, Ragunath Kesavan Vice President Bar Council have confirmed attendance as panelists at the Emergency Public Consultation on SCC Bill. Others are being contacted.

In the short time available, I have not been able to speak to many members of the Royal Police Commission and wish to reiterate the standing open invitation to them as well as all other interested NGOs and NGIs to the Emergency Public Consultation on the SCC Bill to give direct input for parliamentary debate and decision on this important parliamentary business.
 

(16/12/2007)