Malaysian human rights NGO Suaram has questioned the negligence of the police in ensuring that detainees under their custody remain in good health.

It also went on to call upon the government to formulate an anti-torture law to outlaw torture of detainees held in police custody.

Suaram wants the officer-in-charge of the Nibong Tebal police station, where a detainee died in custody on Monday, to produce his lock-up diary immediately for scrutiny.

"Failing which, the allegation of tampering with evidence by the officer-in-charge is inevitable," Suaram said in a statement issued by its coordinator R Thevarajan ( right ) yesterday.

According to the 1958 Lock-up Rules, a police officer on duty has the responsibility to ensure the health of detainees and the conditions of the cell in the police station.

"The said officer is also required to record in detail every action and task performed, on a daily basis," Thevarajan said.

A Punniyanathan, 40, was found dead, and naked, in a Nibong Tebal police station lock-up five days after he was detained on Feb 5.

He was to be produced in court yesterday, for a theft charge.

Seberang Perai South OCPD Supt Shafien Mamat said Punniyanathan acted in a strange manner - talking to himself, walking around the cell naked and was restless before he was found dead about 6.20 on Monday morning.

Police say it's 'sudden death'

This is the first custodial death case for 2014 and police have classified it as "sudden death".

Shafien claimed that the scrap metal seller was an alcoholic and suffered from lung infection.

However, Thevarajan claimed the Nibong Tebal police station was "notorious" for deaths of inmates.

In 2011, Ooh Joo Kia, 44, was found dead seven hours after he was detained in the same police station, he recalled.

Shafien urged the people not to speculate on the death of Punniyanathan, claiming there was no foul play involved and that there were no injuries on his body.

"Can the words of the police be trusted when no independent investigation into the death of Punniyanathan has been done?" Thevarajan asked.

"Are the police making such claims with impunity, knowing that a dead man cannot rise  from death to tell the truth?"

'Independent body must probe police'

Thevarajan said demonising police suspects with the intention of discrediting them and to convince the people that they are meant to die is a "despicable act".

"Brandishing Punniyanathan as alcoholic is no reason for his death while under the custody of the police," he added.

Suaram called for police misconduct to be investigated by an independent and external body, such as the Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission.

The NGO also reiterated its call to Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to set up a permanent coroner's court to examine death in custody cases that he promised in June last year.

"We also call on the government to legislate an anti-torture law to outlaw torture in order to end torture practices by law enforcement agencies," Thevarajan added.

Later today, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar wrote on Twitter that the police will ensure a thorough investigation, which will include the use of forensic experts.
 
"We hope the public will not speculate on the matter or spread baseless information that will benefit anyone.
 
"We will get to the truth of the matter," he said.