Suhakam can compel the police to release the CCTV recording and autopsy reports related to the death in custody case of a furniture shop worker, said commissioner Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah.

Suhakam Commissioner Muhammad Sha'ani b Abdullah 1 Muhammad Sha'ani, ( right) when met by the family members of the deceased Cheah Chin Lee yesterday in Komtar, vowed to help them obtain the items so that they can obtain a clearer view of the incident.

He added that the human rights commission can exercise its rights according to Section 14 (1a-b) of the 1999 Suhakam Act, which deals with its powers related to investigation.

The family then asked him to provide a deadline when Suhakam can compel the police to provide the materials but he was unable to do so.

"This power rests in the Commission. We have to do it step by step. But we promise to follow up with the police," said Muhammad Sha'ani at a press conference in Komtar.

"We cannot duplicate the police's job. We have to see what has been done. If they are not doing enough, then we will see what we can do," he added.

Death due to hanging?

Muhammad Sha'ani was accompanied by state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow and Suaram Penang coordinator Lee Hui Fei during the meeting with Cheah's family.

NONE Cheah's family was represented by his aunt Leanne Cheah, who spoke on behalf of his mother Lim Gaik Suan, also present at the meeting.

The 36-year old Cheah was found dead in the Tanjung Tokong police lock-up at 5.30am on Aug 13, 20 minutes after he was put in there.

A forensic report released by the police said Cheah died due to "Asphyxia from hanging" but the family disputed that, saying he would not commit suicide as he had led a stable life.

Cheah was detained around midnight at Taman Setia for suspected motorcycle theft.

Meanwhile, Chow expressed concern that even after a month, there has been no progress on the case and the family is unable to obtain sufficient answers from the police on Cheah's death.

"I understand the police did promise to disclose the CCTV recordings of the lock-up in which Cheah was held, we can now only hope that these recordings have not mysteriously disappeared," said Chow, the Tanjung MP.

'Police should apologise'

Chow thanked Suhakam for showing concern over the incident and willingness to receive the memorandum from the family requesting that the truth be uncovered by the police.

He said Suhakam has a role to play in safeguarding human rights and in ensuring that law enforcement bodies do their utmost to uphold the rights if each and every citizen.

"When a citizen is taken into care and custody of our police, we do not expect them to die without reason," sad Chow who is also state DAP chief.

NONE "I urge Suhakam to do the necessary investigations to ensure that Cheah's death does not become only another statistic," he added, calling on the federal government to view the need of police reform seriously.

Chow ( right ) said the police owe the family an apology as they cannot "sweep things under the carpet and hope that people forget".

He added that families of victims will be "forever scarred" and the police have some serious explaining to do.

Georgetown OCPD Gan Kong Meng told the media that the police were awaiting forensic and chemist reports to hold an inquest on the case as soon as possible.

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