His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia (Bloomberg filepix)

KUALA LUMPUR (March 21): Dewan Rakyat has approved 10 amendments to the Police Act 1967, which includes establishing the role of honorary commissioner-in-chief of the Royal Malaysian Police to be assumed by the King of Malaysia.

The bill, presented by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, garnered majority support from members of Parliament after a debate involving 17 MPs.

During the winding-up of the debate session, Shamsul said designating the King as honorary commissioner-in-chief was meant to recognise His Majesty's position as the supreme head of the country, as outlined in Article 32 of the Constitution.

This role also acknowledges the King's authority to appoint the inspector general of police (IGP) and the deputy IGP based on the recommendation of the Police Force Commission, and in consideration of the prime minister's advice as stated in Article 140(5) of the Constitution.

"We have also referred to instances in other countries, such as the appointment of King Charles III to the ceremonial role of commissioner-in-chief by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police," he added.

However, Shamsul emphasised that the power to administer the police force remains the responsibility of the IGP, as outlined in Section 4 of the Police Act 1967.

Among the other approved amendments to the Police Act is a revision to Clause 4, which amends Section 21 to enable the police to conduct escort duties on any public road.

Individuals who obstruct, oppose, or fail to comply with police instructions may now face a maximum fine of RM10,000 and up to two years' imprisonment, compared to the previous penalty of RM200 and two months' jail.

Additionally, Clause 5 has been amended to increase the maximum fine from RM1,000 to RM2,000 for anyone who fails to comply with a police order to stop before reaching any barrier erected by a police officer, as stipulated under Section 26.

Another amendment under Clause 6 involves changes to Section 66, which states that any employer who fails to reemploy a reserve police officer could face a maximum fine of RM2,000 and one-year imprisonment, compared to the existing penalty of RM1,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Included in the amendments is the provision that any police officer who fails to report for duty for 14 consecutive days without reasonable cause shall be deemed to have deserted the force, according to the revision to Section 86.

The First Schedule of the Act also seeks to remove a reference to senior inspector, as the position is no longer used in the police force.