Home Minister: Police Cannot Conduct Random Mobile Phone Checks Without Valid Reason
The public is encouraged to file a police report if an improper inspection was conducted.
By Syazwan Bahri — 20 Jan 2025, 10:27 PM
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has made it clear that police officers are not permitted to inspect individuals' mobile phones without valid justification
Addressing the public's concerns about abuse of power, Saifuddin said law enforcement officials must always act within legal boundaries.
He stressed that officers must have a valid reason, such as intelligence indicating criminal activity, before inspecting someone's mobile phone.
"It's not about any Tom, Dick and Harry being asked to hand over their phone," he said in a recent press conference, according to the New Straits Times.
"Police must have a clear basis, such as intelligence suggesting an individual is involved in criminal activities, to conduct such checks."
Saifuddin encouraged members of the public to take action if they believe their phone was inspected by the police without a justifiable reason
He reminded the public to file a police report in the event of an improper inspection, adding that the authorities have already received a high number of such reports every month.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said on Monday, 13 January, that police have the authority to inspect an individual’s mobile phone if there is suspicion of a crime
He explained that officers holding the rank of inspector or higher are allowed to conduct such checks under the Criminal Procedure Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
However, rights group Lawyers for Liberty challenged Razarudin's assertion, describing it as "legally untenable" and a violation of civil liberties. The group argued that police may only examine mobile phones as part of an ongoing investigation or authorised search.
