by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 16: Although the Inspector-General of Police said the police are empowered to stop and inspect the handphones of citizens, there are conditions that police need to comply with before such inspections can be allowed, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan says.
In a statement today, he pointed out that while police could, under section 23(1) Criminal Procedure Code, stop and search motorists of their handphones, it is only if there is reasonable suspicion or complaints that a crime has been committed.
“Public needs to know not all crimes are sizeable offences under the law. The issue is who determines that there was a reasonable suspicion or complaint that a crime been committed?
“What is meant by ‘reasonable suspicion’? How much is the suspicion that could be meant as ‘reasonable suspicion’?
“Police could not be judge, prosecutor and executioner at the same time to determine what amounts to reasonable suspicion and that he determines whether or not there was a suspicion for him to ask you to produce your hand pone for inspection.
“It could be at the time of inspection he did not receive information of any crime at all.
“The law does not give a blank cheque to police officers to determine what amounts to reasonable suspicion,” he said.
He emphasized that there are limits to all powers given by the law to any officials.
He also pointed out that not all police officers are empowered to inspect handphones in public places and in the homes of citizens.
“Members of the public are urged not to be intimidated by police officers and if you are being intimidated or being wrongly handled, please seek professional advice,” he advised. – DayakDaily
