Suaram is disturbed by news reports that Subang MP R Sivarasa and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo have been called in for questioning in relation to the death in custody of Chan Chin Te in the USJ8 Subang Jaya police station.

These two MPs above were the ones who had initially raised this case of the death in police custody on Jan 14, 2013 to the public and had demanded a second post-mortem to be done.  

While Suaram understands that a police report was made against the two MPs and therefore the police are required to take their statements, we are deeply disappointed by the lack of action on the part of the police to resolve the death in custody case.

Despite statements by the OCPD Assistant Commissioner Yahaya Ramli that a team of investigators have been put together to probe the incident, the police have failed to inform the rakyat what proactive measures they have taken since then, and if any police personnel on duty that day have been suspended pending an investigation into the case.

There has been a continued failure by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to improve its image and conduct in the eyes of the public, and these actions further degrade the institution.

When the state detains a person, including a criminal suspect, it has the obligation to protect the most fundamental human right - which is the right to life. The right to life is a non-derogable right guaranteed under Article 5 of the federal constitution and Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The actions of the police above are a reminder of why there is a need for an independent and impartial body in Malaysia to investigate all cases of human rights violations by the police, including deaths in custody.

There is an urgent need to set the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) so that the police do not operate with impunity and can be held accountable for their actions.

R THEVARAJAN is the Right to Justice coordinator for Suaram.