An art exhibition called 'Deadly Detention' hopes to raise public awareness about state violence and custodial human rights.

The recent series of deaths in custody served as a motivation for the Penang exhibition, which is being organised by Malaysians for Beng Hock and Suaram Penang. 

Ng Yap Hwa, from Malaysians for Beng Hock, said: "We hope this exhibition will promote public awareness about the issue, about the deaths. We want to promote discussion."

The group said that it is unacceptable that the number of victims of death in custody has been on the rise and that most of the perpetrators have been unpunished.

Suaram have repeatedly called for proper action against those responsible for the deaths, earlier noting that of twelve deaths in custody this year alone, only one case has resulted in arrests.

Last week, after more than a month allegedly "on the run", inspector S Hare Krishnan became the fourth police officer charged with the murder of N Dhamendran, who died in police custody on May 21.

The exhibition of works by local artists which incorporates images of victims, is open from 11am to 9pm daily from 8th to the 18th of August at the Penang International sports arena (PISA) in conjunction with the Penang International Chinese Book Expo.