We are disturbed by yet another allegation of police brutality against persons in police custody. It was reported in major dailies on that lawyers for S Gunasegaran and M Rajesegar, who have been charged for the murder of Mohd Nazri Ismail, stated in court that their clients had been beaten by the police.

Allegations of this nature against the police surface routinely, suggesting that the practice of beating prisoners may be widespread. Notorious proven cases are those of Lee Quat Leong who was beaten to death and Anwar Ibrahim.

Another serious known case of police beating occurred in June 2004 when R Ravindran was allegedly beaten in front of his own wife. This has yet to be seriously investigated by police despite a police report being lodged by his traumatised wife.

In a recent parliamentary written reply by Internal Security Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, it was disclosed that from 1990 till September 2004, a total of 1,583 deaths among prisoners were recorded in 28 prisons nationwide. It was also revealed that 150 detainees died in police lock-ups or while in custody during the same period. This reflects the seriousness of the problem.

We call upon the Home Ministry and the Inspector-General of Police to take serious, concrete and comprehensive steps to put a stop to custodial beatings by police. Custodial beatings are a heinous form of torture but perpetuated by the guardians of law and order. It must stop and stop now.

We are also sickened by a news report that the Simpang Rengam District Council enforcement officers entered a private premises and brutally killed a family pet in front of the family as reported by The Malay Mail on Feb 19 (page 11). The helpless animal, which was a beloved family pet of six children, was shot and then bludgeoned to death.

We view with grave concern the increasing instances of enforcement officials who abuse their power and easily resort to the use of guns.

In a notorious incident in Penang in mid-January, Yeoh Yew Jin, a 19-year-old alleged VCD seller was shot in the chest by enforcement personnel. The shot also injured a 52-year-old innocent bystander having his dinner at a nearby coffeeshop.

Despite a public outcry following this incident, Abdullah made a poorly reasoned decision to continue to allow enforcement officers to bear firearms.

His decision shows a disturbing lack of sensitivity to the interest and safety of the general public and is inconsistent with his professed aim to bring about a 'people-friendly' and transparent administration.

We are further shocked that the Simpang Renggam District Council enforcement officers had abused their power by trespassing into a private citizen's home and destroying private property.

We call upon the authorities to take swift and stern action against those involved in this shameful incident. There must be no hesitation to charge in court those guilty of cruelty to an animal, criminal trespass and destruction of private property.

We also call upon the prime minister to re-consider his decision to allow enforcement officers to carry arms as it is now not certain that they are able to bear this responsibility without endangering the Malaysian public.

The writers are attached to Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet).