The police commission will only address issues of corruption and custodial deaths in its final report due on Feb 24 next year as the police have requested for more time to look into such cases, said its chief Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah.

He said questions pertaining to these issues have been passed to Inspector-General of Police Mohd Bakri.

"The IGP has requested for more time to look into these cases, which is understandable ... he would need time to refer these matters to relevant state police chiefs," he told malaysiakini yesterday.

Dzaiddin said the commission needs to carry out more 'comprehensive' consultations with senior police officers before major assertions and recommendations can be presented.

The former chief justice said he understood the public's frustration but stressed that more time was vital.

However, the New Straits Times today quoted Dzaiddin as saying that he was disappointed with the response from senior police officers.

PM's call

Apart from the above issues, the commission will also include proposals on legal amendments and other structural reforms related to the conduct of police affairs in its final report.

In terms of implementation, Dzaiddin said it will be entirely up to the government, namely the prime minister and his cabinet.

Under its terms of reference, the Special Commission to Enhance the Operations and Management of the Royal Malaysian Police - as it is known in full - is expected to deliver two reports to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. By extension, these reports will be delivered to the government.

Prior to the final report, Dzaiddin said the commission can be expected to make recommendations - on matters which has nothing to do with major structural and legal amendments - as and when necessary.

Strong evidence

Recently, it was revealed that the commission will seek, in its interim report, that granting of remand orders be strictly limited to cases where investigation officers have strong evidence to detain a suspect for questioning.

The six-month report will also address the problem of inefficiencies, such as officers refusing to accept public complaints and to investigate cases.

In expressing concern over the issue yesterday, the IGP admitted that the number of cases investigated by the police remained low.

He said this year alone, the police received 1.8 million public complaints but only investigated 310,000 of them.

Nevertheless, he told reporters that an internal inquiry into the matter will be initiated.