I refer to the Malaysiakini report Kugan's death: Probe police 'cover-up' .

I strongly support calls from political parties and various other groups and individuals for those implicated in the A Kugan death in police custody case classified as murder by the attorney- general, to be held to account.

The report of the second autopsy reveals disturbing and incriminating findings and the charging of all those involved will restore justice for Kugan's untimely death. It is understandable that his mother, relatives and friends, as much as the public, are outraged.

It is only fair that the government faces the truth, not try to exonerate this indefensible act of murder and let justice run its course. Those found culpable in the murder must be made an example of and be severely punished as a deterrent to future potential police brutality.

I have previously written on other accounts of suspicious deaths in police custody and the high number is cause for alarm. Malaysia may face a serious problem of corruption but surely it is still a nation with a conscience.

No politician should exploit Kugan's case for political ends but suffice to say, all politicians must be united and determined in their fight to restore public confidence in a police force that has deservedly received much bad press.

It is not the media's fault or anyone else's that the police have been guilty of conduct in recent times and have go on to attract flak. Even the home minister has publicly admitted that the police erred in locking out the Perak assembly persons from their office in the on-going Perak crisis.

There was a time in Queensland, Australia, during the Joh-Bielke Petersen era when the police were given a free rein to carry out their duties with impunity and corruption resulted. A dictatorial leader and a corrupt police force go hand in hand.

But the Fitzgerald inquiry put paid to the acts of abuse, corruption and misconduct and in subsequent years, other police inquiries in other states in Australia have weeded out the corrupt in the police force and improved police standards.

Perhaps Kugan's death may prick outgoing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's conscience and make him wonder if more blood is not on his hands because he failed to implement the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) as the royal commission into the police force had recommended.

But I am doubtful. It will seem odd if this ‘Rip van Winkle’ suddenly awakens and in the dying days of his office, feels this urge to bring about reforms. Even then, these reforms are anything but deformed and one wonders if Dr Mahathir Mohamad spends his leisure time ruing the day he capitulated to the majority in deciding the choice of his successor.

Some Malaysians are easily swayed by a warm smile but as for me, I judge someone by the fruit of his works, not words.

The only way to combat police abuse and misconduct is to make the force more transparent and accountable and stop their use as henchmen by ruling politicians to curb the activities of opposition politicians and civic groups.

The Perak political impasse is partly the result of a police force that has failed to remain above the political fray and stay impartial.

Sadly such is the reality in the country and the police can no longer be relied on to carry out their duties without fear or favour. Now blood is on their hands and the failure to prosecute when hard evidence has been confirmed by the second Kugan autopsy will further open the police force to more public criticisms.