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.

“(Is) this being done to shore up the image of the police, or to justify what the police had or had not done?” Kula Segaran (photo) asked in a statement.

Perak CID chief Gan Tian Kee had said that Baskar came to the Jelapang police station to lodge a report, but was told to return later as officers believed he was drunk.

Baskar allegedly became enraged and started to shove the police officers. As he was being handcuffed, he reportedly set himself on fire with his own lighter, according to Gan.

But the DAP lawmaker, who attended a funeral for the deceased, called for an independent probe into the case.

“Can the police confirm if the CCTV was working at the time of the incident, and have any police officers been suspended from work due to this incident?

“As (the) death by fire (occurred) whilst being handcuffed by the police in a police station, will the coroner be asked to determine the cause of death?" Kula Segaran asked.

He suggested that the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission and/or Suhakam take over the investigations to find out how this incident happened.

“Rest assured we will make sure justice is served without fear or favour in this case."