Human rights activists and deceased's family members continue to ply pressure on Penang police to come clean on whether action has been taken on the culprits responsible for a series of custodial deaths in the state.

 

Led by Suaram, the group handed in a memorandum, signed by six NGOs, three political parties and 12 politicians, to Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi’s representative at the police headquarters on Jalan Dickens, today.

 

The group, including families of the victims - S Aginraj and M Murugan - urged the police to provide answers to recent custodial deaths cases, to prevent another incident in Penang.

 

Penang Suaram spokesperson Ong Jing Cheng (right) , who read out the group’s demands, asked if the police personnel on duty during the incidents have been probed in line with the 1958 Rules and Regulations of Police Lock-ups.

 

“Were the suspects investigated by police from another district? This is to ensure transparency in the probe and to ensure that there would be no cover-up in the matter,” he added.

 

“What are the latest findings and developments involving these cases? What were the measures taken to ensure there would be no more custodial deaths or incidents of alleged torture in police lock-ups?” Ong asked.

 

Six people have died in police lock-ups and prisons in Penang since January this year.

The seventh victim died in the Tapah prison, after detention at the Bandar Perda lock-up in Penang.

Eleven people have died in police custody nationwide as at June 2014.

Also present was PKR’s Machang Bubuk assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon (left) who expressed sadness and disappointment that the deceased families have yet to know the truth about their loved ones deaths.

“The families continue to ask about this. We don't want any cover up.

"Although we met the CPO around two months ago and he promised to provide information about those cases but up to now nothing has happened,” he said.

What about the bruises?

DAP youth wing representative Satees Muniandy said that police’s insistence of no foul play is not enough, given the injuries sighted on the bodies.

For example, he said, Murugan, who died in the Bandar Perda lock up on Apr 13 had bruises on his body. He was detained under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Satees (right) , who is also Seberang Perai councillor said suspects nabbed under this section are usually not let out, but he was released the day before he did, rising suspicion.

“Who are the police to say there is no foul play? Are the police from the forensic department? Are they doctors?” he queried.

“We have been asking for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission to be set up but the police oppose it. If you have done nothing wrong, why oppose it?

“Custodial deaths give the impression that once you are locked-up, you may not come out alive…In other countries, police stations are the safest place but not in Malaysia,” he said.

Other groups that signed the memorandum include Amnesty International Malaysia, Malaysians For Beng Hock, Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran), Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower), Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia, Penang DAP Socialist Youth, Penang PKR Youth and PSM (Bayan Baru branch).

Also present were Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy, state executive councilor Dr Afif Bahardin, assemblypersons Ong Chin Wen (Bukit Tengah), Soon Lip Chee (Jawi), T Jayabalan (Batu Uban), Teh Lai Heng (Komtar) and Yap Soo Huey (Pulau Tikus), MPs Ng Wei Aik (Tanjong), P Kasthuri (Batu Kawan) and Steven Sim (Batu Mertajam), PSM central committee member Choo Chon Kai, DAP Socialist Youth representative David Marshel and PKR Youth representative A Kumaresan.