The lack of response by the police to the recent death of a detainee has got the family’s lawyer, Gobind Singh Deo, all hot under the collar.

Gobind told reporters today that the police had ignored a lawyer’s letter from him demanding an explanation for Syed Mohd Azlan Syed Mohamad Nor's death on Nov 4, while held in custody.

He found it "irresponsible" and "shameful' that till today, he has not received a reply.

"Is this the standard of professionalism practised by the police today? Are they that short-staffed that they can't reply a letter? Shame on the police force," Gobind, who is also Puchong MP, said.

 

He added that it was also far fetched that the police linked the arrest of Syed Azlan with a case that took place more than two months before the arrest.

"How can the incident which took place on Sept 19 justify the arrest made on Nov 3?

 

"What proof do they (the police) have? This just doesn't add up. The family is entitled to answers; the police cannot just be silent on the matter."

Gobind said it was puzzling that in the post-mortem report it was stated that Syed Azlan suffered 61 injuries.

"How did he sustain them? If he had been injured during the arrest, why wasn't the father informed when he was called to the police station?"

Special task force

Gobind also called on the inspector-general of police (IGP) to set up a special task force from Bukit Aman to conduct a transparent investigation.

"The police in Johor should not investigate this case, as they are involved," he asserted.

The victim’s father, Syed Mohamad Nur Ali, said the family was “not satisfied” as the police have not given them an explanation that would help give them closure to the matter.

“I agree with Gobind that Bukit Aman should assign a special task force and give us some answers,” Syed Mohamad said.

Gobind said he would be writing to the IGP. "I will give him 14 days to respond.”

He added that he would also be writing to the Home Ministry on the case.

Gobind said if there was no action from both police and the Home Ministry, the family would sue the police.

Syed Azlan died while being transferred from the Sungai Rengit police station to the Kota Tinggi district police headquarters.

 

His family claims that the unemployed youth's body was covered in bruises and "hole-shaped puncture marks" and they suspect foul play.

 

However, Johor CID chief Hasnan Hassan ( right ), claimed that the 25-year-old was a drug addict who sustained injuries while resisting arrest.

 

The post-mortem states that Syed Azlan died from being hit on the chest with a blunt object.