KUALA LUMPUR – Former law minister Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim has slammed the Police (Amendment) Bill 2024, which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat last week.
He said the amendments should not have been passed in Parliament due to certain clauses, which he deemed arbitrary for the average Malaysian.
“What’s the purpose of increasing fines from (RM)200 to (RM)10,000 for not following police instructions at roadblocks?”
“What is the justification for expanding the jail sentence from two months to two years? It is ordinary men on the streets who will pay for this law,” he said on social media platform X.
He also said that DAP, which was previously vocal on such issues when it was in opposition, is now “mute” on the amendment despite its past history of calling for an oversight in police conduct.
“Already, the police will charge you for insulting them if you complain about their conduct! How many more powers do they need?
“There is no oversight of police conduct in the country, and DAP is now mute on this issue. Unlike in 2004, when they were clamouring non-stop for a police oversight commission.”
He also lamented that no MPs had debated the bill, adding that he hoped the Upper House could prevent it from becoming law.
“No MPs took up the opportunity to debate this bill, and, of course, there were no comments from the Bar Council, which is busy with the Pardons Board.”
“Now all we can hope for is for the Senate to stop the bill from becoming law. The senators now need to do the work that Dewan Rakyat is supposed to do.”
Last week, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Police (Amendment) Bill 2024, which, among others, included appointing the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the honorary commissioner-in-chief of the Royal Malaysia Police.
The bill was passed with more votes in favour after 16 MPs from the government and opposition bloc participated in the debate session.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, when winding up the debate on the bill, said the appointment of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as honorary commissioner-in-chief of the police involved an amendment to Clause 2 of the Police Act 1967 (Act 344) by inserting a new section 6A.
He said the amendment was made to provide services to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on police ceremonial matters, besides recognising his position as the head of the religion of Islam under Article 32 of the Federal Constitution.
Commenting on the Rome Statute, he said there was no issue of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong being brought before the International Criminal Court on a related case since the power of command and control of the police force as provided for in Act 344 is under the authority of the inspector-general of police.
Shamsul said the amendment to the act also involves Clause 3 to amend Section 17, which is to increase the maximum fine from RM100 to RM5,000 for offences related to police officers who have stopped their service but have not returned service equipment such as weapons, ammunition, and others.
He said the amendment only applies to officers and police personnel who are on compulsory retirement or have quit the service.
Since 1967, the provision of fines under this section has never been amended. The fine rate increased from RM100 to RM5,000 is in line with the passage of time, even though statistics show no such case has been recorded over the offence. The increase in this matter is to prevent it from happening, he said. – March 26, 2024
 Bill 2024, which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat last week.){kind=link}