Why so many delays? Kula asks why IPCC bill constantly postponed

KUALA LUMPUR – DAP’s M. Kula Segaran today questioned yet another postponement by the government in tabling the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) bill for its second and third reading, questioning their resolve to introduce the legislation.

The Ipoh Barat MP interjected after Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin announced the postponement of nine new bills, which will now be tabled at the next Parliament sitting.

“The IPCC bill has been delayed so many times that it is as though the government has no intention to bring improvements to the police force.

“It does not make sense. The people cannot understand why every time Parliament sits, this particular act is postponed,” he questioned.

Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon responded by reasoning that the deputy minister already explained it would be tabled at the next sitting.

“But that was what they said the last time, and the time before that, and the time before that,” Kulasegaran quipped before Rashid went ahead with the day’s agenda.

Among the other postponed bills was the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021, the Poisons Act Bill (Amendment) 2022, and the National Forestry Act (Amendment) 2022 Bill.

The IPCC bill was tabled for its first reading on August 26, 2020. Its second and third readings have been pending since then, with the government initially saying it would be tabled last September. – The Vibes, March 24, 2022