DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang today criticised the terms of reference of the Police Royal Commission saying that it does not address many "critical issues".

"The terms of reference of the Royal Commission could have been better formulated," said Lim in a statement today.

He also asked why the commission was not given the widest and most comprehensive term of reference, such as "to inquire how the police has upheld the Rukun Negara principle to maintain a democratic way of life"?

Stressing on the need of the commission to address the sharp rise in crime rate, eliminating police corruption, abuses of police power, police shootings and deaths in police custody, Lim also called on the commission to hold its inquiries in public to enable public scrutiny and participation.

Questioning the wisdom of appointing the Home Ministry Internal Security and Public Order secretary Hamzah Che Rus as the commission secretary, the DAP leader added "it is not uncustomary for the secretary of an inquiry commission to be assigned the important task of drafting the commission report, fully reflecting government views and bias."

Be transparent

In a related development, Tumpat MP Kamarudin Jaafar echoed Lim's sentiments by saying that the commission proceedings should be open, suggesting Parliament as a suitable venue to hold public inquiries.

"I suggest that Parliament be used as the venue. Do not hold the inquiries behind closed doors only to announce the results and suggestions after that," said Kamarudin who is also PAS central committee member.

Kamarudin also reminded the commission to protect all its informers and not to allow them to be threatened by any party.

The government yesterday announced the appointment of the 16-member royal commission that will be headed by former Chief Justice Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah.

The commission will have to complete a preliminary report into its investigations within six months, followed by a full report within the next six months.

Last December, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said that a royal commission would be established to look into ways to modernise the police force and restore its credibility that has been tainted by corruption and alleged use of excessive force.