KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today passed 10 amendments to the Police Act 1967, including a new clause that makes the Yang di-Pertuan Agong the honorary commissioner-in-chief of the Royal Malaysia Police.
The bill, tabled for the second and third reading by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah today, also saw 15 debates among members of parliament.
In his winding-up speech,Shamsul Anuar said the new provisions was also to recognise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's position as the supreme head of the country, in line with Article 32 of the Federal Constitution.
"The amendment also recognises the king's power to appoint the inspector-general of police (IGP) under Article 140(5) upon the recommendations of the Police Force Commission after considering the advice of the prime minister," he said.
Shamsul Anuar said the honorary role to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong did not mean the king could be tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He said this was because command and control of the police force still lay with the IGP as outlined in the Police Act.
He said the honorary rank on the sovereign was approved at the 265th Conference of Rulers on Feb 21 and 22 at Istana Negara.
Other amendments in the bill include empowering police officers to conduct escort duty on any public road.
The amendment will also see the maximum fine for anyone obstructing such duties or failing to heed directions increased from RM200 to RM10,000 and imprisonment from three months to two years.
