KUCHING: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan has raised concerns over what he perceives as an abuse of power by the police, alleging that they have been summoning individuals to the station via phone calls instead of providing proper written notification.
In a statement issued yesterday (Mar 20), Voon said that he has received complaints regarding law enforcement officers requesting members of the public to be present at their office by contacting them over the phone.
This practice has resulted in certain individuals being unable to access their lawyers or inform their families about their situation.
“The law clearly states that individuals need to be informed in writing about the reasons for their required presence at the police station.
“There is no legal obligation to see them until the letter made under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) is served on you,” he said.
Section 111 CPC stipulates that a police officer making an investigation may issue a written order requiring the attendance of any person acquainted with the circumstances of the case.
If any person refuses to comply with such orders, it may result in the issuance of a warrant by a magistrate.
Voon explained that Section 111 grants police the authority to summon a person of interest for investigation and if the person refuses, the police may report him or her to the magistrate who may then issue a warrant.
“This would typically be done in writing, which also helps to differentiate from scammers and the actual police.
“The law does not allow police officers to demand your attendance at stations via phone calls.
“When the police summons you to the station, you have the right to know the grounds for your summons,” he said.
He cautioned the public against immediate compliance with phone calls from the police requesting their presence at the station, as doing so may lead to possible abuse of power and even arrest without legal notification.
“In such circumstances, individuals may wish to make a police report against the police in case there would be legal complications about the matter concerned or the police’s actions,” he said.
New Sarawak Tribune has contacted the police for further details regarding such a procedure and allegations of abuse of power but has yet to receive any response so far.
