Based on news report, it appeared that both of you, who took on the pro bono defense of the two Special Branch officers in the high-profile KLIA assault case involving the Director General of AKPS, has now expanded your representation to include former policeman Saifuddin Abdul Kader and requesting the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to review a police report he lodged nearly 11 years ago (on November 19, 2015) in Teluk Intan, Perak.
The 2015 report alleged that your client was assaulted by Shuhaily while the latter was serving as the Hilir Perak district police chief.
Your client, Saifuddin claims that no action resulted from his report, and he subsequently faced major career challenges that ultimately culminated in his dismissal from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
Probably, both of you could be handling this matter on a pro bono case too.
Since both of you are on a pro bono trend, maybe both of you could take up this challenge.
Lead and champion an initiative to pressure the Madani government to relook and review the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report that was issued in 2005 that recommended the formation of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police was established on February 4, 2004 following widespread public concern over police malfeasance, abuse of authority, and deaths in police custody.
When it released its historic report, the creation of an independent oversight body with teeth was its defining centerpiece.
The RCI recognized that a "culture of impunity" develops when wrongdoings are left unpunished or are managed internally by superior officers.
The RCI didn't just suggest the IPCMC, they explicitly drafted a model bill for it, giving the proposed commission the separate, autonomous power to receive, investigate, and directly penalize errant officers.
Despite the RCI's extensive findings, the IPCMC bill faced immediate intense pushback from various self interests groups who argued it would strip the police force of its own internal disciplinary authority.
Because the original RCI recommendation was resisted, the government implemented weaker compromises where,
- The EAIC was created in 2009 where it had to oversee 21 different enforcement agencies. Crucially, the complaints about the EAIC is that it lacked disciplinary enforcement power, and
- The Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) passed in 2023 replaced the EAIC. Even then, there are complaints from civil societies that the IPCC heavily deviates from the RCI’s original vision because it lacks direct punitive authority.
If the IPCMC, recommended by the RCI, had been formed, a transparent, external mechanism would have been created where any officer—regardless of rank—could have their grievances or misconduct reports investigated without fear of internal suppression, and your’s report in 2015 would have received due attention and acted on.
Don’t waste the opportunity both of you have been given now.
Take up the cudgel and lead and champion an initiative to pressure the Madani government to relook and review the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report that was issued in 2005 that recommended the formation of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
Probably a lot of lower to mid level policeman would thank both of you for your initiative.
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