ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Pursuant to the findings and recommendations of the Public Inquiry, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced on 8 May 2019, the setting up of a special task force to look into the findings, giving them six months to complete their investigations. The task force has not announced any progress in or the status of its investigations as yet. 12. WORKING MEETING WITH INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE i. SUHAKAM met with YDH Dato’ Abdul Hamid Bador, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on August 21, 2019, and discussed positive cooperation between SUHAKAM and PDRM, as well as issues of mutual interest. ii. The ongoing positive cooperation between SUHAKAM and PDRM is helping provide human rights training for police at all levels. Knowledge and awareness of human rights principles should be applicable to PDRM members, right from recruitment. SUHAKAM is also looking into the possibility of PDRM conducting human rights training for their members through the introduction of a Human Rights Module published by SUHAKAM. Among the partnerships formed were the establishment of a Custodial Medical Unit at PDRMcentralised lock-ups. iii. SUHAKAM welcomes PDRM’s acceptance of SUHAKAM’s recommendation for a visit without notice to all lock-ups in Malaysia. SUHAKAM is of the view that efforts to uphold the integrity and preparedness of the PDRM are important as well as ensuring that lock-ups under PDRM supervision uphold human rights principles and standards. iv. SUHAKAM also discussed the complaints it received regarding the practice of chain remand that appears to violate human rights principles. PDRM responded that chain remand is not employed in all cases and that the process itself is in line with the IGP’s Standing Order No. 6. However, SUHAKAM considers the practice needs to be investigated further and refined because a person should be charged in court with committing an offence if police have evidence against the suspect. If PDRM cannot present evidence, the detainee should be released. CHAPTER 1 Ratifying international instruments The Malaysian Government should ratify ICPPED as it provides guidelines on identifying elements of enforced disappearance and clearly outlines the role of the government in investigating the offence and other related offences. 75