A video footage obtained by Malaysiakini shows family members and politicians did not 'barged' into the Serdang Hospital mortuary last week to see the remains of deceased police detainee Kugan Ananthan.

pkr samy vellu maika police report 160207 manikavasagam PKR's Kapar MP S Manikavasagam, who provided the clip, also filed a police report this afternoon against Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar for making a ‘false’ statement pertaining to the incident.

The report was lodged at the Brickfields police district headquarters.

"Khalid has misled the public that Kugan's family members and politicians had barged into the morgue when they were actually allowed in by an hospital attendant.

"The false statement had hurt the feelings of the family members who had lost their loved one," said the MP in his report.

Met later, Manikavasagam, who was among those present at the mortuary last Tuesday night, reiterated that they did not barge into the mortuary and called on Khalid to resign.

He also called on the government to form an independent investigative body to look into Kugan's death and also act on the Selangor police chief for making 'false' statements.

The PKR leader said he was the first politician to arrive at the scene and had witnessed the entire incident.

"It was only later that (deputy ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department) T Murugiah and SK Devamany had come in and that was after family members had entered the morgue," he said.

Police have since recorded a statement from Devamany while Murugiah is contemplating suing the police chief for his remarks.

It will not end here

kugan detainee death morgue scene 220109 Meanwhile, Manikavasagam claimed that the hospital attendant was asked to file a police report, under extenuating circumstances, accusing those present that night of barging in.

He also noted that the presence of PAS Youth chief Sallahuddin Ayob, PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin and Selangor exco Teresa Kok at Kugan’s funeral yesterday showed that the issue transcended racial lines.

"Kugan's death is certainly a national issue and not a racial issue. Something had to be done to stem police brutality.

"Furthermore, the police reacted harshly by arresting some Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters who were there to pay their last respects," he said.

Manikavasagam also complained that police had behaved in a ‘high-handed’ manner by allegedly preventing family members from conducting prayers at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya, where a second post-mortem was conducted.

He also expressed unhappiness that none of the policemen involved in the case has been arrested so far.

"Why the double standards? If a person is a suspect, he will be remanded. However, in this case these people are just reassigned to desk duties.

"The culprits should be brought to justice," he stressed.

Manikavasagam also vowed that Kugan’s case would not end here as Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is expected to raise the matter in the coming Parliament session.

Kugan, 22, was arrested on Jan 15 in connection with several car theft cases. He died in police custody five days later.

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