The family of Tarmizi Idris, who was arrested by Penang police on Monday, is frantic over his safety, believing that he has suffered abuse while in a police lock-up cell.

Tarmizi, 25, was picked up about 7.30pm at a flat in Siakap, Seberang Jaya, and is being investigated by the police narcotics department.

The Penang chapter of human rights NGO Suaram has claimed that Tarmizi had resisted arrest.

azlan "Due to (this), he was (subjected to) electric shock and beaten up by the police," the NGO alleged in a statement today.

"The police have remanded him for seven days. He will be charged with obstructing a police officer (in the performance of his) duties, as well as resisting the arrest.”

Suaram also said Tarmizi's family-members plan to meet him at the Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) police headquarters at 1pm today to "ensure his safety and health".

Malaysiakini has not been able to contact SPT head Azman Abdullah, whose mobile phone has been ‘engaged’ since yesterday.

The Penang police were in the spotlight recently, due to allegations by an Indonesian restaurant worker that three personnel had raped her and forcing her to perform oral sex on them while she was held in a lock-up in Prai.

They have since claimed trial to a charge of gang-rape.

Previously, furniture sales personnel Cheah Chin Lee had been found dead while in police custody in Tanjung Bungah. His family remains frustrated over the delay in investigating the incident.

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