The family of furniture shop worker Cheah Chin Lee who died in police custody in Tanjung Tokong last month is unhappy that until today, police have yet to furnish them with answers as to how the deceased died.

The family is now considering legal action against the police in order to get to the bottom of the case, which has caused much distress to them as the 36-year old Cheah was the only son of his parents, who has four other daughters.

azlan Speaking at a press conference in Komtar today, the deceased's aunt Leanne Cheah  said that so far the family has been told contradicting tales about her nephew's death last Aug 13.

She added that the famly has lodged two police reports on the case, and will lodge another today for the "inconsistencies" the family has been told over Cheah's death after spending only 20 minutes in a police lock-up.

She also claimed that some items belonging to Cheah were missing when the family collected them from the police, saying this amounted to "stealing".

Leanne added that some of the items such as house and motorcycle keys were returned to the family but they were only told of the whereabout of Cheah's vehicle after they had to press the police for them.

"We have been asking the police for answers but have not received a satisfactory one until now. We do not want to be suspicious about them, that is why we are asking them about what had happened to my nephew," Leanne said.

"We want the police to clear their name, that is why we need the answers. We have been asking for the CCTV recording and autopsy report," she added.

"We have also been promised an inquest which should be done by today, one month after his death," she added.

Suhakam receives memorandum

Leanne, a retired pharmacist, was speaking on behalf of Cheah's mother Lim Gaik Suan, who was in Komtar to hand over a memorandum, urging for immediate police action, to Suhakam commissioner Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah.

The family was accompanied by state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow and Suaram Penang coordinator Lee Hui Fei.

According to a forensic report released by the police, Cheah died due to "asphyxia from hanging", but the family has rejected the report, saying it is unlikely that he would commit suicide as he has a loving family and stable job.

Cheah was initially arrested in Taman Setia at about 12.30am on Aug 13 for allegedly attempting to steal a motorcycle.

At 2.30am, he was brought to the Jalan Pattani Northeast District Police headquarters for a urine test to check for drugs, which later tested negative.

At 5.10am, he was brought back to the Tanjung Tokong Police Station and but was found dead 20 minutes later.

NONE However, police only informed Cheah's mother of her son's situation at 9.30am.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who has met with the family members, described the incident as “fishy" and called for a thorough police investigation.

Police await forensic, chemist reports

When contacted, Georgetown OCPD Gan Kong Meng said the police has yet to submit a report to the Deputy Public Prosecutor as his team is waiting for the forensic and chemist reports.

Gan added that the police would be recommending to the DPP to hold an inquest on the case soon.

He denied that police was "hiding or covering up information", and that he was in contact with the family.

"We cannot reveal the reason for the death. This is the police's standard operating procedure and it is not about hiding or covering up information," said Gan, in a text message to the media.

"Everything will be revealed during the inquest. If the family wants to see me, I am willing to meet them," he added.

Family urges probe in yet another death in custody