A police photographer today testified at the Kuala Lumpur High Court that mug-shots he had taken of former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Malek Hussin - four hours after his detention in 1998 - showed no bruises or signs of physical abuse.

Malek is suing the government and the police for physical and mental torture , allegedly during an interrogation after being detained on Sept 25, 1998 for his involvement in reformasi demonstrations.

In his testimony, police photographer Samad Abdul Hamid told Justice Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus that he had been summoned to the 'documentation room' - where Malek was being held - at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters at 3.45am on Sept 26.

"I was put on standby at the headquarters on Sept 25 evening after my duties. I waited in my office. At 3.45am ASP Borhan Daud ordered me to take mug-shots of the plaintiff.

"When I entered the documentation room I saw the plaintiff sitting on a chair with his hands cuffed to his front. The cuffs were then removed and he was made to stand against the wall in order for me to take his mug-shots," said Samad, 51.

'Tired but calm'

Asked what Malek's condition was at that time, Samad said he was "tired but calm, did not complain of being beaten and had no difficulty walking and was wearing a t-shirt and jeans."

"We were five feet apart (when photographing). It was only him and me in the room as the other officers stood outside with the room door open," added the policeman, who has been serving in the force since 1974.

Questioned by junior Federal Counsel Morhaji Selamat - representing the respondents - Samad informed the court that the photographs, three each in black and white as well as colour, were only processed and filed days later.

"The black and white photos were washed on Sept 29 while the colour photos later (not specifying date). This was done once the roles of film were full," he said.

When asked, Samad also said that he did not notice bruises on Malek's face when he took the shots or on the photos after it was developed.

"I have more than 24 years of experience as a police photographer. I submit that I did not see any signs of the plaintiff being abused," he said when asked by counsel if he wished to add anything to his testimony.

Malek filed an unprecedented civil suit application in 1999 worth RM30 million following his release. He claimed to have suffered bruises on his body after being subjected to abuse by the police, led by ASP Borhan.

He has accused the police of stripping him naked in an air-conditioned room, assaulting him to unconsciousness, forcing him to drink urine and threatening him with an HIV/Aids virus injection.

The hearing was postponed at noon and will continue for three days next week, beginning April 27 at 11am, with Malek's lawyers - led by R Sivarasa - geared-up to conduct its cross-examination of the witness.