Lawyers acting on behalf of slain teenager Aminulrasyid Amzah’s family have questioned the legality of the Home Ministry’s ‘special panel’ to monitor police investigations.

NONE In a statement today, lawyers Latheefa Koya and N Surendran ( left ) described the panel as ‘neither here nor there’ pointing out there was no legal provision for such panels.

"It is not a royal commission of inquiry nor is it a Suhakam inquiry where there are established laws and practices governing its powers, conduct and procedures," they said.

Without any legal basis, the two lawyers argued that the panel was unable to define its role clearly though it was announced a few days ago that it would also review standard procedures in regards to the discharging of firearms by police.

"Is Malaysia a country governed by laws and legal procedures or by political dictates and whims as seemingly exemplified by the conduct of the deputy home minister and this special panel?" they asked.

azlan The duo were responding to the establishment of the eight-member special panel led by Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop, which kicked off its probe last night by visiting the scene where Aminulrasyid was shot.

‘Disband panel now ’

On the visit, the two lawyers said they were ‘shocked and appalled’ by the panel’s decision to visit the scene without the presence of both lawyers and the family of the deceased.

"It looked more like a public relations exercise rather than the beginning of a serious inquiry because if they were serious and transparent, the lawyers and family would have been involved.

"We have written to the Home Ministry on May 3 on behalf of the family requesting a meeting and stating our interest in the special panel’s work and yet to date, there has been no response," they said.

The two lawyers added that there are also concerns over Abu Seman’s position in the panel because as deputy home minister in charge of the police, there existed a clear conflict of interest.

In view of these contraindications, Latheefa and Surendran urged the police to immediately disband the special panel and establish a royal commission of inquiry into the incident.

NONE In another development, the Bar Council defended the move by a key witness to the shooting,  Azamuddin Omar ( right ), to reveal information about the incident to the press.

"We believe that the press conference was a reaction to the police’s response to the incident, and is indicative of the family’s lack of confidence in the integrity and transparency of the police.

"The press conference was deemed necessary and justified, in order for the witness to recount his side of the story publicly in this matter of public interest.

"The lawyers’ role in it did not breach any of the Bar Council’s rules of professional conduct," Bar Council president K Ragunath said in a statement today.

'Diverting attention'

On the other hand, Ragunath criticised the police for labeling Aminulrasyid a ‘criminal’ and claiming that a machete was found in the vehicle he was driving.

azlan "These unfounded and callous allegations have only served to divert public attention away from the circumstances surrounding the death and to add to the anguish of Aminulrasyid Amzah’s family and friends.

"The police appear to lay claim to having the sole right to issue statements regarding events that have transpired, and, as with previous fatal shootings, seem focused on directing the blame elsewhere instead of facing up to their role and culpability in the incident," said Ragunath.