Following a damning report by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), DAP lawmaker has called on the police to suspend its officers linked to the death of S Balamurugan.

"Ignoring the Suhakam report is no longer an option. Action must follow, otherwise the existing negative public perception of the police and the government will worsen," Santiago said in a statement.

"Most urgently, police officers involved in the death of Balamurugan should be immediately suspended," he added.

Santiago said that every effort must be made to identify the perpetrators, after which the home minister must instruct the attorney-general to begin prosecution based on Suhakam's findings and recommendations.

"I reiterate my earlier call to appoint a special prosecutor to take charge of this case. This culture of impunity has to go," he added.

Yesterday, Suhakam announced the results of its investigation into the death of Balamurugan, 44, at the North Klang district police headquarters on Feb 7.

The commission said he was detained illegally and tortured.

It concluded that the beatings might have caused his death and recommended that those responsible be taken to task.

Suhakam said the magistrate's court in Klang had noticed Balamurugan's injuries and refused remand, ordering the police to send him to the hospital instead.

However, this was ignored by the police who continued to unlawfully detain Balamurugan beyond the 24-hour period allowed to hold him.

Suhakam interviewed the magistrate on Feb 23, 2017, and was informed that the detainee's face and eyes were swollen.

“He was unable to sit up, stand or hold his head up when his name was called in court,” Suhakam added.