Malaysian police oversight body receives 1,635 complaints, resolves most

Malaysia's Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) has received 1,635 complaints since its establishment in 2023, with a significant majority already resolved. As of July 24, the commission reported that 844 complaints, representing about 76 percent, have been settled.

For the current year, up to July 24, the IPCC recorded 372 new complaints. Investigations have been initiated in 22 cases, with five opened this year. Of these, 11 investigation papers have been concluded, while the remaining 11 are still active.

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If complaints have elements of corruption, IPCC will channel them to SPRM because IPCC does not have expertise like SPRM in investigating corruption cases. Likewise, if the complaint involves criminal elements, it will be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department because those matters are within their jurisdiction.

Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that if complaints involve elements of corruption, they are forwarded to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) due to the IPCC's lack of specific expertise in such matters. Similarly, criminal cases are transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department.

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For example, they lodge a complaint with the police, and then there is no development or follow-up action. So, the highest category of complaints received is dissatisfaction because there is no feedback on the investigation.

The most frequent category of complaints stems from dissatisfaction due to a lack of feedback regarding reports or complaints filed with the police. "For example, they lodge a complaint with the police, and then there is no development or follow-up action. So, the highest category of complaints received is dissatisfaction because there is no feedback on the investigation," Saifuddin explained.

Saifuddin also highlighted that the IPCC, nearing its third anniversary, operates within clearly defined powers under the IPCC Act and does not usurp the functions of other enforcement agencies. He also noted the Royal Malaysia Police's (PDRM) recent arrest of 12 officers suspected of extortion, emphasizing the force's commitment to not tolerating misconduct, even among its own ranks.

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The fact that the police arrested, detained, and took action is a clear message that PDRM will not compromise at all, even with its own members.