Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must ensure that the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) does not become another 'toothless Suhakam'.

Suhakam or the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia has been often criticised as an ineffective body since its recommendations are normally ignored by the government.

In a statement today, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang said the same kind of skepticism surrounded the announcement regarding IPCMC's formation.

"The prime minister must be aware of the widespread skepticism and cynicism which greeted the announcement on whether it would be effective and not another toothless Suhakam so as to make a real difference," he added.

On Tuesday, Abdullah said the IPCMC would be formed following the recommendation made by the independent commission tasked to probe the nude squat scandal.

Previously, the Royal Commission on the Police Forces was the first to suggest last May that the IPCMC be set-up to check on police abuse.

No more delays

On the same note, Lim cautioned against any more delays on the formation of the IPCMC.

He said the prime minister risked seeing public confidence in police reforms and his personal commitment to reforms "plunge to an even lower depth if the proposal continues to be stonewalled".

"He (Abdullah) should ensure that there is no more foot-dragging wether on the part of the police or Attorney-General's Chambers," he added.

He said the prime minister's remark that the AG Chambers had been directed to study the draft Bill on the IPCMC caused considerable concern as to wether this would be used as an excuse to delay the implementation for another year or two.

"Why must the AG's Chambers be directed now to study the draft IPCMC Bill. Had the AG Chambers been sleeping for the past eight months when the AG was supposed to be heading the Laws and Procedures sub-committee to the study the proposals of the (police) commission?" he asked.

The procrastination must stop, he stressed, adding that Abdullah must make a public commitment to keep the deadline for the IPCMC to be operational in May.

The opposition leader also called for improvements to the weaknesses and inadequacies in the draft IPCMC Bill, such as:

i) limitation on the powers of IPCMC to call the public prosecutor to account for failure to prosecute police officers for misconduct.

ii) the IPCMC itself has no powers of prosecution.

iii) the need for whitstleblowers protection for police offers who reveal the wrongdoings in the force.