PARLIAMENT approved several amendments to the Police Act 1967, notably introducing a new section designating His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim King of Malaysia as the Honorary Commissioner-in-Chief of the police force.
Home Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah explained that these amendments aimed to acknowledge the King’s role as the Honorary Commissioner-in-Chief and to elevate the recognition of protocol matters within the police force.
“This provision also recognises the position of the King as the Supreme Head of the country as stated under Article 32 of the Constitution and the King’s power to appoint the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the deputy IGP on the recommendation of the Police Force Commission after considering the advice of the prime minister as stated in Article 140(5) of constitution.
“However, in the police force, the power to administer (the police force) falls on the responsibility of the IGP as mentioned under Section 4 of the Police Act (Act 344),” he said while wrapping-up for his ministry in Parliament today.
Moreover, the amendments include modifications to Clause 4, targeting Section 21 of the Police Act, allowing the police to conduct escort duties on any public road. Penalties for obstructing or failing to comply with police instructions have been significantly increased, with fines of up to RM10,000 and imprisonment for up to two years.
Furthermore, amendments to Clause 6, affecting Section 66, impose heavier penalties on employers failing to re-employ reserve police officers, increasing fines to RM2,000 and extending imprisonment to one year. It also stipulates that any police officer absent from duty for 14 consecutive days without reasonable cause will be considered to have deserted the force.
Revisions to the First Schedule involve the removal of references to the position of senior inspector, no longer in use within the ranks of the police force. – March 21, 2024
Main photo credit: Bernama
