The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has formed a task force to look into the custodial death of a detainee in the locak-up of the Bera police district headquarters in Pahang.

Soh Kai Chiok, 49, was reported to have been found in an unconscious state before he was pronounced dead at 12.15am on Jan 18.

Soh was initially arrested on suspicion of stealing bananas and was being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code.

"A task force comprising of senior EAIC officers has been formed under Section 17 of the EAIC Act 2009 in order to investigate this death immediately," EAIC chairperson Yaacob Md Sam said in a statement today.

He said the task force aims to determine if there was any wrongdoing, including criminal elements by police officers, during the arrest and detention leading to the death of Soh.

If there was indeed wrongdoing, Yaacob said, the task force would also try to determine how and why it happened as well as the provisions, laws and standard operating procedures that were broken during the detainee's arrest.

Lastly, he said, the investigation would determine the individuals responsible for those wrongdoings.

"The EAIC views this seriously and regrets that deaths in custody still happening in this country.

"The integrity and credibility of authorities should not be tarnished by incidents like these," Yaacob added.

He called on the authorities with lock-ups to no longer compromise and to take the EAIC's recommendations seriously regarding their steps to improve the handling of detainees.

Suaram wants cops in charge suspended

Meanwhile, human rights group Suaram welcomed EAIC's move to investigate the custodial death and urged the police to give their full cooperation.

Suaram executive director D Sevan (photo) also called for the suspension of the police officers who oversaw Soh's detention.

"Police officers, including the investigating officer responsible for the detainee and the officer-in-charge of the station, must be suspended pending the investigation against them.

"Necessary disciplinary action and criminal charges must be taken against those who are responsible," he said.

Sevan pointed out that in the custodial death case of P Chandran, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur had ruled that police have responsibility for the health and welfare of detainees.

"In this instance, the Royal Malaysian Police need to make clear the condition of the detainee prior to his death; reveal whether the detainee was in good health upon his arrest; and whether he was given the necessary medical attention if he was in poor condition during arrest or detention," he said.

Sevan said custodial deaths impact the credibility of the police force and a transparent investigation is therefore necessary to safeguard the public's trust in the force.