KUALA LUMPUR – Crisis intervention officers will have the power to break into premises to rescue people who are attempting suicide, and such actions are to “save” them rather than to arrest them, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Ramkarpal Singh told the Dewan Rakyat today.
These provisions were amendments made to the Mental Health Act 2001 and were passed by the House today.
Ramkarpal, in his winding-up speech after MPs’ debate on the amendment bill’s second reading, said such action taken by crisis intervention officers applies to the context of rescuing or saving people about to commit suicide.
“Officers are required to act as quickly as possible.
“The reality is that authority is needed in emergencies.
“In this case, (it is for) the urgency to assist a person attempting to commit suicide,” he said.
While no criminal charges can be filed against crisis intervention officers for their break-ins, victims may file a civil case against them for any cost implications or alleged abuse of power, he added.
“This has to be differentiated from situations where emergencies are not present. In a regular case, officers would not be permitted to (break into the premises).
“However, people usually lock themselves to avoid people from approaching them. In this case, (there is) no choice but to break in.”
Ramkarpal (Bukit Gelugor-PH) was responding to concerns by Hassan Abdul Karim (Pasir Gudang-PH) that crisis intervention officers may abuse their power.
Currently, agencies listed as crisis intervention officers include police, firefighters, auxiliary firefighters, volunteer firefighters, civil defence officers, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency officers, and welfare officers.
Ramkarpal remarked that medical officers are not included, as it would jeopardise patient-doctor relationships and confidence, and elevate the stigma against mental health patients.
During the debate, Chiew Choon Man (Miri-PH) and Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (Besut-PN) suggested replacing the term “apprehend” in the amendment bill to “save”, for clarity and to avoid negative connotations.
Ramkarpal explained that while the apprehensions are intended to save the victims instead of arresting them, elements of enforcement are still present in these situations.
“(The term) apprehension used in this act should be taken in its context: which is to save the victim, and not to arrest them.”
Nonetheless, he said the government will consider the suggestion to revise the term “apprehend” into “save”.
The amendments will also ensure that crisis intervention officers will bring an apprehended person to registered psychiatric hospitals within 24 hours. – The Vibes, May 23, 2023
