The Internal Security Ministry today said the police would apply for a court order to compel human rights lawyer P Uthayakumar to report to the police, as he has refused to provide information about allegations he has made.

In a parliamentary written reply to Karpal Singh (DAP - Bukit Gelugor), the ministry said the police have conducted investigations into police reports that Uthayakumar had lodged.

In these, he alleged that he was attacked and that his car was damaged by police personnel.

According to the reply, the investigation report has been submitted to the Attorney-General's (AG) Chambers in Putrajaya and police are awaiting further instructions.

"Apart from this, the police will apply for a court order using section 111 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code to compel him to present himself at a police station to give his statement," it said.

Uthayakumar who left the country to seek political asylum in Britain after the incidents, returned after the government gave an express assurance of his personal safety.

'No eyewitnesses'

Since then, however, the ministry said he has not co-operated with police in the investigations, and even failed to show up for an appointment on June 24, the ministry said.

"He wrote a letter to the Investigating Officer through his lawyer, asking for all documentation pertaining his case including the investigation findings, statements which were recorded under sections 112 and 113 of the CPC and other relevant information," the ministry said.

"We need him to make his statement personally as the investigation thus far has revealed that there were no eye witnesses to the incidents. He also needs to identify his assailants. Until then we cannot conclude our investigation. "

Uthayakumar, who has represented several families of victims of custodial deaths, has also been involved in Police Watch and Human Rights committee that investigates alleged police brutality.

The group has compiled several reports that have been presented to human rights bodies including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.