6  theSun | FRIDAY MARCH 13 2009

news without borders

Giam Say Khoon and Hemananthani Sivanandam at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday

AIM, Suaram slam EAIC Bill

by Tim Leonard
newdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: Amnesty International
Malaysia and Suaram (Suara Rakyat Ma-
laysia) expressed disappointment yester-
day with the tabling of the Enforcement
Agency Integrity Commission Bill (EAIC) in
Parliament on Wednesday.
The two non-governmental organisa-
tions (NGOs) urged the government
instead to set up an Independent Police
Complaints and Misconduct Commission
(IPCMC) as recommended by the Royal
Commission on the Police Force in 2006.
In a joint press statement, Amnesty
and Suaram opined that “the new Bill
defeats the true intention of the Royal
Commission, which essentially is to im-
prove the professionalism of the police
force and restore the diminishing public
confidence in our police service”.
“The Bill, in our opinion, fails to ad-
dress the fundamental characteristics
of a complaint as it lacks independent
enforcement powers to provide effective
checks and balances in a fair and trans-
parent manner,” read the statement.
“We also express serious concerns
over the proposed structure of referral of
all investigations to the attorney-general
(A-G) for enforcement, hence giving rise
to concerns of selective prosecution and
political decisions as in cover-ups on high-
Gobind thrown out again
FIRST-TIME MP Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) was yesterday thrown out of the
profile and politically-linked cases.
“We are also alarmed by the fact that
the A-G, who is a political appointee of
the prime minister, is indeed given the
full final decision-making mandate which,
in our view, defeats the notion of a case
being handled and disposed of in a truly
independent, just and credible manner.
“We are also concerned with the
scope of the newly-proposed commission
that covers 21 public agencies.
“It is impossible for a single body
of such limited capacity and resources
to be able to handle all cases of the 21
agencies of vast differing procedures and
operational order.”
They said they would continue to lobby
for the implementation of the IPCMC over
and above the newly-proposed EAIC.
In a separate statement, the Malaysian
Bar Council likened the proposed EAIC to
a “toothless tiger” as it would have no
power to act.
» The proposed EAIC is empowered
to investigate an enforcement officer
for misconduct even if the act or inac-
tion also involves persons who are not
enforcement officers or if the enforce-
ment officer was not on official duty. This
power, provided for under Section 24 of
the EAIC Bill, was wrongly reported in our
front page report yesterday. The error is
regretted.
EPAPIX
Nazri: Bar Council
cannot escape the law
RM60b
package
THE Bar Council (Bar) cannot escape the law and
fails to can face action if it breaks the country’s rules,
stimulate said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department
Opposition Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
Nevertheless, he said, the government had no
pg 14 plan to amend the Legal Profession Act to tighten
and limit the jurisdiction of the Bar because such
a move seems unnecessary.
“The Bar is an entity like individuals which ena-
bles the government to take proper action if the
body breaks the country’s rules or laws,” he said in
reply to Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (BN-Jerlun).
Mukhriz wanted to know whether the govern-
ment would limit the Bar’s jurisdiction by amend-
ing the Legal Profession Act 1976 to stop it from
intervening in government business.
Nazri said under Section 42 of the Legal Pro-
fession Act 1976, among
the Bar’s powers is to express its view on matters
affecting legislation and the administration and
practice of the law in Malaysia.
“The Bar also protects and assists the public
in all matters involving the law besides some
political matters without taking part directly in
the country’s political process,” he said.
To a question by M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh
Barat) whether the government would seek the
Bar’s views before tabling any legislation, Nazri
said only Parliament had the exclusive first look
at any Bills before their tabling.
“Therefore the government cannot give the
Bills to any parties, including the Bar, before their
first reading. That is a breach of regulations and
shows disrespect to Parliament.
“If the Bar wishes to raise particular matters,
the body can use Members of Parliament to do
so. If the government is of the view that an
amendment is necessary, we will do it at the
committee stage,” he added. – Bernama
Karpal to boycott
fracas probe panel
KARPAL Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) said
he has received a letter directing him to
appear on Tuesday as a witness before a
select committee under Standing Order
80A but he will boycott it.
“It’s not a select or a privileges com-

Dewan Rakyat for the second time since his election last year. mittee. To say it is a select committee is
He was faulted for pressing Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to wrong. It is just a committee,” said Karpal in
answer a question relating to the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case. a press conference in Parliament lobby.
Met outside the chamber, Gobind said he asked about the RM95,254,600 which was He said the Speaker should step down
proposed for the construction of court complexes during the committee stage debate
on the mini budget as he wanted to know why the country was spending so much
US honour as “he has got it all wrong”.
Karpal was referring to the heading
money when the infrastructure to uphold the justice system was not up to mark. for Ambiga ... of the letter which read “Prosiding Jawa-
tankuasa Pilihan Dewan Rakyat Mengikut
US Secretary
BN MP suspended for interrupting of State Hillary
Clinton and First
Peraturan Mesyuarat 80A” handed to
him by a Parliament personnel.
“It’s not even a jawatankuasa pilihan
BARISAN Nasional MP Datuk Siringan ment what action had been taken to Lady Michelle Obama
(select committee). There is no neces-
Gubat (BN-Ranau) was suspended by curb parties that used the term “social congratulate honoree
sity for this committee to be set up
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia contract” to attack other races in a sup- Ambiga Sreenevasan, who under 80A to go about any inquiries.
yesterday for interrupting the question- plementary question when someone is Malaysian Bar Council The three individuals have already
and-answer session. called him “bodoh”. president, during the Tribute to identified themselves,” said Karpal.
Siringan was agreeing to Pandikar Mujahid Yusof then said: “Kalau jantan, International Women of Courage Karpal said Parliament should have
by saying: “Ngam, Tuan Speaker, ngam berdiri sekarang! (If you are man enough, Award presentation ceremony constituted itself as a court of law on
(Correct, Mr Speaker, correct)” in his seat stand up now!)” and reception at the State Depart- the same day of the incident and
when the speaker was trying to stop a On hearing the interruption from ment in Washington on Tuesday. punished those involved.
shouting match between Dr Mujahid Siringan, Pandikar immediately ordered According to the citation, Ambiga He said four DAP MPs and one PKR
Yusof Rawa (PAS-Parit Buntar) and him to leave the chamber. has used the rule of law to advance MP who were also asked to appear
some backbenchers. Siringan, who is a first-term MP, was human rights, the status of women before the committee have also opted
Mujahid Yusof had asked the govern- allowed to return in the afternoon. and religious tolerance in Malaysia. to boycott the meeting.