The recent proposal by the Inspector General of Police to include the Military in public order and security maintenance intervention seems to suggest that the police are seeking extra ordinary reinforcements and power in dealing with public order and security matters especially in dealing with peaceful demonstrations and public assemblies. Amnesty International Malaysia in the past has raised concerns on the excessive use of brutal force to clamp down on peaceful assemblies. We fear that the fused operation would only give space to greater arbitrary action with some very serious result to development of human rights in Malaysia.

It should be noted that the Police Act 1967 spells out the boundaries of all actions and powers in terms of policing in Malaysia. We fear that the inclusion of the Military in public order policing might create an overriding rule of engagement that is inconsistent with the Police Act.

Amnesty International Malaysia is of the opinion that it is highly improper for the military to be used to maintain public order and security as the nature of such policing grants use of force and direct engagements with the public at critical moments. The proposed fused action would also cause confusion in the chain of command, proportionality and necessity in the usage of force and aggression as well as tactics used during public demonstration. This would therefore cause a very serious human rights violation including fatal injuries.

The world has witnessed a very serious human rights violation looking back at the infamous 1972 Bloody Sunday incident in streets of Ireland where 26 people were shot with at least 13 reported dead due to excessive use of force. The incident was reported to occur due to serious breakdown on chain of command and failure in assessing proportionality and necessity in usage of force and aggression. The incident was also recorded to have involved the military in maintaining order during a public demonstration.

We must learn from the 1972 incident. Public order and security concerns are of a public interest matter and such a function must be maintained by a force that is directly accountable to the people who are in this case the police. The police at all times are responsible to maintain and protect the human rights of the people besides maintaining peace and order, hence the proper force to be allowed to engage with the people at any critical moment.

Amnesty International Malaysia hereby emphasize that the Military should only assume temporary jurisdiction on maintenance of public order and security when it's absolutely necessary during emergencies with specific orders and function. We are not at war for the military to step in.
We urge the government to halt the plan and restore order to the policing system in Malaysia.