The police will not be biased in its investigation concerning a motorcyclist who was killed after being allegedly assaulted by four policemen, said the Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai today.

The police chief stressed that the case will be handled in a fair manner to ensure that justice is done.

"There have been several investigations carried out against police personnel in the past, and there was no such thing that the investigations were in favour of the police," he said.

Norian was speaking at a press conference after launching the 'Diploma Sains Kepolisan' programme at the police officers training college in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the four policemen from the Puchong police station in Selangor have been suspended pending investigation.

Norian said he does expect the investigation to take long as witnesses are available and this facilitates the process.

Asked if the case will tarnish the police's image, he replied: "They have yet to be found guilty."

In last Sunday's incident, Ramli Othman, 25, was hit twice with a plank when he tried to escape a police roadblock in Puchong.

The father of three, who was taking a friend to a nearby mechanic shop, tried to evade the policemen as he was not wearing a crash helmet and his licence had expired.

As a result of the assault, the factory worker suffered severe head injuries and slipped into a coma. He died three days later.

His brother, Rahmat Othman, said he rushed to the scene immediately after being informed about the incident and found his brother lying on the road.

He claimed he had to beg the policemen for at least 20 minutes before being allowed to take the victim to a hospital.

No lag

Meanwhile, on Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim's comment that authorities are sitting on investigations into criminal breach of trust cases involving high-profile figures, Norian believes it was not directed at the police.

"I don't think that he (Rais) actually pinpointed any department," said the police chief.

Norian added that he has looked at the cases which were under the purview of the police and is satisfied with the progress of the investigations.

There are cases which are already in the final stages of investigation while others take time because the witnesses are abroad.

"Also, there are cases which are now with the Attorney-General's office," said Norian, refusing to reveal the cases.

"What is important is that we do not sit on these cases," he stressed.

Last week, Rais who is also de facto law minister said these cases generate huge publicity in the initial stages but nothing happens later.

Responding to this, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said no directive was issued to any department to stop investigating such cases.

He said each case is investigated thoroughly and fairly by the police and the Anti-Corruption Agency and appropriate action will be taken against those involved.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also said the authorities have probed these cases "without fear or favour" and the public should not assume that those associated with the government are immune to punishment.

However after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Mahathir said that he will look into the claims made by Rais.

"Some of the things that he (Rais) brought up are based on facts and I will look into them," he added.