I refer to the Malaysiakini report Shooting of teen: Don't cover up, MP tells police .

I was extremely sad upon learning about the incident where a 15-year-old boy was shot dead by policemen in Shah Alam.

Based on the reports, it was about 2am and they were driving back from an all-night eatery in Section 7 when they passed the police car which signalled them to stop. Obviously, they refused to stop and must have sped away which resulted in a car-chase and the police having had to

shoot at their tires to force them to stop.

One of them ran off leaving the other, now identified as Aminulrasyid Amzah, 15 years, in the car. In panic he must have reversed and rammed the police car.

I can accept that at 2am, it must still be dark without proper lighting. Thus, the policeman who shot him could not have seen the driver clearly to identify him as a 15-year-old boy. However, I

wonder if this in itself along with the boy reversing and ramming the police car justifies the cop to shoot at the driver.

The fact that the policemen found a machete in the car also to me does not justify shooting the victim unless he had been swinging it menacingly at the policemen.

I am also very disturbed that there are now two versions of the incident. One, the police report lodged by the policemen and second by the victim’s friend after meeting Khalid Samad, the PAS MP for Shah Alam. I shall leave this up to those in charge of investigations to determine what really happened. I hope the authorities will investigate, especially the fact that the other boy had claimed he was punched and kicked before miraculously running away.

I am, however, interested in the truth. I am happy to learn that all four policemen have been reassigned to desk duties pending the outcome of investigations. No use suspending them as the force can utilise them to do paperwork and as they are on active desk duty, they can be called anytime for questioning but they are not too close as to interfere with investigations.

I would like to suggest that the police explore the possibility of appointing a third-party as a member of the investigation committee. This will add credibility and stop all nonsensical talk that the police might try to cover-up to help one of their own. At the same time, the third-party must be of a totally neutral party without any interest.

It could be a member of Suhakam or someone of that stature. However, it must never be a poilitican for a politician is one who has taken sides.

The police must act swiftly. The committee formed must also be transparent and keep the public informed of every step of the way. The investigation, whatever the outcome, must only be seen as a decision on the individual policemen or the group of four policemen.

It is not in any way a referendum or reflective of the whole police force. The public must understand this for one rotten apple does not make the whole barell go bad.

I urge everyone involved – politicians, NGOs, media and all those concerned to allow the family time to grieve and the committee to get to work. We must respect the family and not make their suffering worse. We must respect thecommittee and allow it to carry out its duties.

Do not turn this into a kangaroo court and pass public judgment. The four policemen and the family involved must be given a chance to tell their side of the story to the committee. The police and committee at all times must act without fear or favour.

The writer is Umno Jerai Division vice-president.