An official inquiry into corruption in Malaysia's police force has found widespread abuse of preventive detention, disregard for human rights and extortion. A Royal Commission investigating the police released its report Monday, with 125 recommendations for improvements in a police force widely considered brutal, riddled with graft and politically biased. The commission found 5,726 reported cases of corruption between 1999 and 2003, more than any other government agency. It said police were suspected of taking "protection money" from brothels and illegal gambling syndicates, and that some senior officers may have amassed assets worth millions of dollars. The report said 80 people had died in police custody between 2000 and 2004, with only six subject to investigations. It accused police of abusing internal security laws to sidestep courts and detain suspects. Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Omar said the report was fair, and the force would pay attention to its recommendations, the Malaysia Star reported Tuesday. The commission called for an independent watchdog to monitor complaints of police misconduct. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would head a task force to review and implement the commission's recommendations. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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