The police releasing the criminal record of the man who self-immolated while in their custody is "unbecoming of a professional body", said DAP's Ipoh Barat MP M Kula Segaran.

Last week, police claimed Baskar Rao, 47, set himself on fire in the police station while being arrested.

Baskar was subsequently taken to the intensive care unit in Hospital Ipoh, and died from his injuries yesterday, according to Kula Segaran.

Police said at the time of the arrest Baskar had a parang on his motorcycle, and had a criminal record with 13 cases, including a drug-related crime.

“This act is unbecoming of a professional body, and stating the facts of any criminal background is clearly (intended) to let the case be tried and decided by the media...