This letter is in response to your report entitled Expert says IPCMC powers questionable which detailed your interview with Cornelius Hindriks, our policing expert from the Netherlands. We believe that our position on the formation of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) was inadvertently misinterpreted.

Amnesty International fully supports the formation of an independent oversight mechanism for the police. We have continuously called for the Malaysian government to table the IPCMC bill in Parliament. Amnesty International considers that principles of oversight and accountability are critical in building a professional, human rights-based policing responsive to the changing needs of society.

While external oversight is indeed essential, so also is a culture of internal police accountability. Every police officer, through the chain of command control, supervision and effective disciplinary proceedings, must be able to take up and exercise responsibility for the maintenance of the best traditions of their profession.

Amnesty International believes that the best prospects for the creation and long-term maintenance of a professional, human rights-based policing lies in a balance of internal and external accountability systems. The principles of oversight and accountability should be upheld through a collaborative interaction of transparent internal disciplinary procedures, and an independent external body able to investigate complaints.

At the same time, we also recognise that certain aspects of the proposed IPCMC bill need to be reviewed to ensure that we take into account the rights of everyone including the police, which Hindriks has highlighted in your article. In order for this to happen, the bill must be tabled and debated in a transparent and democratic manner in Parliament.

We hope this clarifies the position of Amnesty International on the formation of the IPCMC.

Josef Roy Benedict is executive director Amnesty International Malaysia while Cornelius Hindriks is with Amnesty International's Policing Network.