PAS Youth today reiterated its support for the formation of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) and called for similar bodies to be set up to monitor local authorities, the customs and immigration department.

PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said if the IPCMC aims to, among others, curb corruption in the police force, there is also corruption in the other agencies.

The IPCMC was proposed by a royal commission in 2004 tasked with investigating the allegations against the police force and providing recommendations on how to improve the force.

The proposal, which was to be implemented within a year, was welcomed by non-governmental organisations, the opposition as well as many ruling politicians. Even Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gave it the green light.

However, the police raised certain objections and the proposal has been with the Attorney-General's chambers for review since.

Political interference

Speaking to reporters after meeting acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Zul Hasnan Najib Baharuddin, the PAS Youth chief said certain clauses in the IPCMC must be revamped.

This included the inability of police personnel to file an appeal against the commission's decision, he pointed out.

"We do not agree with that clause because we do not want to see police personnel become victims. They should be given the avenue to appeal," he said.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin said political interference is preventing the police from clamping down on criminal and immoral activities.

Calling for an end to this, the opposition leader said such intervention will frustrate the war against crime

The Kubang Kerian MP said the government spent RM300 million to establish the National Integrity Plan to increase the effectiveness of the judiciary, public administration and police.

"But if political leaders intervene, such a huge expenditure would be a waste," he said, vowing to raise this matter in Parliament.

Salahuddin said even Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan, when he was Johor police chief, conceded that his team had received instructions from politicians to stop their operations against criminal activities in the state.