KUALA LUMPUR: The Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) has received a total of 529 complaints as of November 22, following the implementation of the IPCC Act 2022 (Act 839) on July 1 of the previous year. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail disclosed this information, noting that the complaints encompass cases pertaining to crime, corruption, and police misconduct.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saifuddin explained that the crime-related complaints have been referred to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), while corruption cases have been directed to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). The IPCC is tasked with investigating the misconduct cases. Out of the total complaints, 140 were pending prior to the Act’s enforcement. These include repeated complaints filed after inaction and trivial matters like personal disputes with police officers.
Saifuddin shared these details during a press conference after the launch of the IPCC, Police, Friends and Collaborators (IPFC) program
by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The event was attended by notable figures including Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
The IPFC initiative is part of the IPCC’s strategic plan aimed at establishing itself as a trusted independent monitoring body. Its goals include enhancing public confidence in the police force’s integrity, monitoring police conduct, protecting human rights, facilitating service delivery, and improving the effectiveness of both the IPCC and PDRM.
Additionally, Saifuddin mentioned that since the Act’s enforcement, the IPCC has conducted 195 scheduled visits to PDRM facilities, including six state police contingent headquarters. The commission has also developed standard operating procedures for receiving complaints and conducting investigations, along with preparing regulations under Section 46 of Act 839 to clarify the minister’s powers.
To streaml
ine complaint management, the IPCC has created the Complaint and Investigation Management System (SPEACS). This federal statutory body was established under Section 3 of Act 839, gazetted on October 18, 2022, to function as an independent police monitoring entity, especially in investigating misconduct-related complaints.